MAP of Maguindanao with the town of Datu Piang highlighted.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eleven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan Faction surrendered to the military in Datu Piang, Maguindanao Saturday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the 11 BIFF members surrendered to soldiers of the 6th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Sitio Landing Fish, Barangay Buayan at around 8 a.m.
Vinluan said the 11 BIFF militants handed over one M653 A1, two M16 A1s, one M16 A3, one BAR, one improvised .50-caliber sniper, one improvised .30-caliber sniper, one .30-caliber Garand, two M14s, one homemade grenade launcher, and one 40mm M79.
Vinluan said one of the reasons why they decided to give up was they miss their families and wish to live a peaceful life with them.
“One of the 11 BIFF who surrendered became emotional as he was narrating how he joined the group while his son was still small and now he already has grandchildren,” Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, commanding officer of the 6th IB, said.
During their initial debriefing, the BIFF gunmen revealed that they were tired of hiding and they lack financial support hence their surrender, according to Vinluan.
“The 11 are the first batch of BIFF members who surrendered to the 6th IB this year and we are optimistic that more will come as we continue our peace campaign,” Vinluan added.
