29 Moro terrorists surrender, hand over firearms in Mindanao
They are from two factions of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group.
ZAMBOANGA CITY: Twenty-nine members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group, who are now called “victims of terrorist ideology and circumstances” (VTICs), surrendered to the Philippine Army in the southern Maguindanao del Norte province on Wednesday.
Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), in a statement, said the 29 VTICs also handed over their firearms and were presented to Brig. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team.
The presentation was witnessed by Police Brig. Gen. Gil Francis Tria, the Deputy Director for Administration of the Bangsamoro region police, and other officials.
Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, the commander of Joint Task Force Central, said the VTICs worked under the BIFF’s Karialan and Bungos factions operating in the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and North Cotabato.
“I commend the troops of the 6th Mechanized Battalion, and 99th and 92nd Infantry Battalions for their peace efforts which enlightened the minds of the surrendered personalities,” Rillera said.
The VTICs underwent a series of custodial debriefing and Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee (Japic) validation.
Japic is responsible for verifying the identities of former rebels and violent extremists who have surrendered.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Westmincom’s commander, attributed the success to the whole-of-nation approach jointly implemented by the military, local government units, other security agencies and stakeholders.
“Rest assured that we will continue to maximize our efforts to sustain the momentum and win lasting peace in our area of operation,” he said.