JOLO, Sulu — Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and turned over their high-powered firearms to government forces.
Joint Task Force Central commander Maj. Gen. Roy Galido disclosed that the four former BIFF-Karialan Faction members surrendered to Brig. Gen. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade at Barangay Kalandang on Tuesday.
However, Galido declined to identify the four former members of the BIFF-Karialan Faction for security reasons.
The four BIFF members also surrendered their weapons which included a US 1911 60mm Mortar; a Colt M16 Rifle; a 9mm Tongram; a Cal .50 Barrett and two magazines.
According to Galido, the four BIFF combatants claimed they were already hungry and tired from aimlessly fighting the government.
"Another thing is the unceasing focused military operations of our soldiers so they have nowhere to go because our pursuit of them is unceasing," Galido said.
The commander of JTF-C rejoiced at the good step taken by the four former combatants and that the violence will be reduced due to the surrender of the instruments of violence.
"I know you are only victims of deception and misinformation, so your conversion to our government is a good opportunity that we can give space for peace in the land of the Promise, the Mindanao," Galido said.
About 201 BIFFs have already surrendered to JTF-C since January while 239 different types of weapons, including explosives, have been recovered and confiscated in the surrender and military operations.