Four Filipino terror group members surrender

The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group members also turn over firearms and other war materiel.

Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters terror group surrender in Sultan Kudarat province, southern Philippines, Mar 8, 2023. (Westmincom pic)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group returned to the fold of the law in the southern Philippine province of Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday. 

The Joint Task Force Central commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, in a statement, said the former violent extremists submitted themselves to the 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB) in Kapaya village, Bagumbayan municipality. 

Lt. Col. Frederick Chicote, the Commanding Officer of 7IB, said the surrendered personalities are former members of the BIFF-Karialan faction. 

They handed over five high-powered firearms and other war materiel, including one M14 rifle, one Garand rifle, one M79 homemade grenade launcher, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, six anti-personnel ammunition for the RPG, one improvised explosive device, two unexploded ordnances, five hand grenades, three rifle grenades and one 40mm high-explosive cartridge. 

The former violent extremists were subsequently presented to Brig. Gen. Michael Santos, Commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade and Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, the focal person of Sultan Kudarat Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict. 

Also in attendance were personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 12 led by Ryan Balanza, the Division Chief of Protective Services. 

Immediate cash assistance and food packs were distributed by Sultan Kudarat Provincial Local Government Unit and DSWD 12 to the surrendered personalities. 

Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the troops of Joint Task Force Central for this accomplishment. 

“We attribute this success to the collaborative efforts of the members of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELAC)," Galido said. 

"Our solidarity continues as we continue to journey toward the attainment of peace and progress here in Mindanao. 

"Rest assured that all those who return to the fold of the law will be granted due support as they reintegrate into mainstream society."