17 Moro terrorists surrender in southern Philippines
They were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
SOUTH COTABATO: Seventeen Moro terrorists surrendered in the southern Philippine province of South Cotabato on Monday (Dec.18) with more expected to return to the fold of the law, said the police.
The 17 were members of the Karialan faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group, the Police Regional Office 12 (Pro 12) said in a statement Tuesday (Dec. 19).
Their surrender ceremony was held at Pro 12’s headquarters in General Santos City, during which the former extremists also turned over two anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launchers with two pieces of live ammunition, one homemade Barrett .50 calibre sniper rifle, three .45 calibre pistols and one Glock .9mm pistol, which was the Philippine National Police’s property.
Five of the former terrorists were listed in the Priority Status Report.
The ceremony was initiated and facilitated by the Regional Intelligence Division 12 (RID 12) spearheaded by Col. Abubakar U Mangelen Jr.
The surrenderers were processed to avail the government peace initiatives under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programme (E-Clip) while the surrendered firearms were placed under RID 12’s custody for proper disposition.
Pro 12 chief Brig. Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg extended a warm welcome to the surrenderers, affirming their commendable choice.
"We warmly welcome our brothers and sisters who have recognised the futility of their previous cause. They have seen through the empty promises, falsehoods, and deceit propagated by their former leaders during recruitment,” he said in the statement.
“We anticipate further voluntary surrenders, as our unified efforts to decisively conclude the Local Communist Armed Conflict have proven highly effective and received strong support across various sectors of society."
Karialan is a BIFF faction that is not aligned with the Islamic State terror group.