TWO members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Bungos Faction (BIFF-BF) surrendered to the troops of the 6th Mechanized Battalion of the Western Mindanao Command on Friday, April 19.
The two surrenderees were part of the Bungos Faction of BIFF but yielded separately in different locations.
One surrendered in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, while the other surrendered in Datu Salibo, on the same province.
They surrendered a Caliber 30 M1 Garand rifle with sixteen rounds of ammunition and an Ultimax.
In an interview with SMNI News, Maj. Andrew Linao, acting chief PIO of WestMinCom of the Philippine Army, stated that the surrender of the two terrorists resulted from their intensified focused military operation in Maguindanao Del Sur.
‘‘It was confirmed on April 19, 2024, we conducted a decisive military operation. Our 6th Mechanized Battalion under Joint Task Force Central conducted a focused military operation to put pressure on the remaining threat groups of the BIFF there in Maguindanao del Sur, which resulted in suffocating the remaining threat groups, leading to their voluntary surrender,’’ according to Maj. Andrew Linao Acting Chief PIO, WESTMINCOM, PA.
According to Maj. Linao, they have yet to determine if the two have cases.
They continue to ascertain the crimes involved as they conduct debriefing on the surrenderees.
‘‘This is still ongoing, sir. The custodial debriefing is still ongoing, but most of the surrenderee, at the same time, the existing former valid extremists have cases, so John Does and existing ones are included among them,’’ Maj. Linao, added.
Meanwhile, Major Linao mentioned that the debriefing on the surrendering individuals will aid their future operations significantly.
‘‘This is still ongoing, sir. The custodial debriefing is still ongoing, but most of the surrenderee, at the same time, the existing former valid extremists have cases, so John Does and existing ones are included among them,’’ Maj. Linao said.
According to the records of the Western Mindanao Command as of April 22, 2024, in the first quarter of the year, WESTMINCOM have neutralized or surrendered over 30 terrorists while recovering nearly 30 firearms.
Currently, Major Linao stated that they are pursuing approximately one hundred terrorists in Western Mindanao.
Due to this, LtGen. William Gonzales, Commander of WESTMINCOM, praised the troops of the 6th Mechanized Battalion for the successful surrender of the former “violent extremists”.
They warmly welcomed the two surrenderees for choosing to renounce violence and embrace peace.
“We warmly welcome the surrendered personalities who have decided to turn their backs from violence and have chosen to live in peace,” LtGen. William Gonzales Commander, WESTMINCOM, PA, stated.
They assured them of support and assistance from the Philippine government.
“Rest assured that they will be given the opportunity to avail of the government peace initiatives which will aid in their reintegration into mainstream society,” Lt. Gen Gonzales added.
