BIFF leader surrenders

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A ranking leader of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has surrendered to government forces in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

Abdulgani Dimalen, deputy chief of the BIFF's Karialan faction, surrendered on Friday, according to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

The BIFF-Karialan faction has been tagged in numerous atrocities in Central Mindanao.

Dimalen’s surrender was witnessed by his relatives as well as Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan at the headquarters of the 1st Mechanized Brigade in Barangay Kamasi.