12 BIFF bandits, bomb makers surrender in Maguindanao

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao, Philippines —  Twelve members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), five of them bomb makers, surrendered on Friday.

The group yielded through the intercession of officials of the First Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division (ID) and local government in this town.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th ID commander, said the surrenderees turned over rifles and a .50-caliber machinegun.

“We are calling on BIFF members out there to avail themselves of our local reconciliation program now. It is not too late,” Uy said.