COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Thirteen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), five of them said to be experts in bombmaking, have surrendered and pledged allegiance to the government.
The BIFF bandits from Midsayap, Cotabato and Datu Salibo, Datu Unsay and Mamasapano in Maguindanao surrendered through the intercession of local chief executives and officials of the Army’s First Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and 6th Infantry Division (ID).
They turned over firearms, grenade launchers and a 60-millimeter mortar at the headquarters of the First BCT in Barangay Pigcalagan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday.
Around 400 BIFF bandits and members of the Dawlah Islamiya have surrendered to the 6th ID since 2017.