BIFF, NPA members abandon struggle
The continued conduct of decisive military operations by the 92nd IB led to the voluntary surrender of the members of the BIFF-Karialan Faction
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command on Tuesday disclosed that 11 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction and three members of the New People's Army voluntarily surrendered in two separate provinces in Central Mindanao.
The insurgents also turned over their firearms to the soldiers as a gesture of their desire to return to their normal lives.
AFP-WesMinCom chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzales narrated that the 11 former BIFF-Karialan Faction surrendered to the 92nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Nicaan, Libungan, North Cotabato on Saturday.
Meantime, the NPA members — which also include a platoon leader — yielded to authorities in Barangay Lebak, Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat also on Saturday.
Gonzales said the continued conduct of decisive military operations by the 92nd IB led to the voluntary surrender of the members of the BIFF-Karialan Faction.
The BIFF members were identified as alias Benzar, Lombie, Tenix, Boy, Abu Sumaya, Datu Nor, Nolds, Norhad, Pasyotan, Nasrudin and Tamen.
They turned over four 7.62mm Sniper rifles, one M79 rifle, two Spring Field Garand rifles, three Rocket-Propelled Grenades, and two Uzi 9mm Submachine Guns.
The surrendered BIFF-Karialan Faction underwent Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee validation, which entitled them to receive assistance from the Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit program of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government.
"The snowball of BIFF surrenders is a result of the convergence among government agencies and stakeholders and security forces," Gonzales said. "Through our collaborative efforts, the decades-old security concerns in Central Mindanao will soon be resolved."
Gonzales also reiterated his call to the remaining members of the BIFF to surrender peacefully, begin new life as productive members of society and avail of the livelihood assistance of the government.
Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Central commander Major General Alex Rillera said alias Tata, the commanding officer of Dabu-Dabu Platoon, RHF, Far South Mindanao Region and two others surrendered to the 37th IB in Barangay Lebak.