ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Forty-four members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to the military in Kabacan, North Cotabato.
The surrender, which occurred last week, was made public only yesterday due to security concerns, according to acting Western Mindanao Command chief Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas.
He said BIFF commander Esmael Aman and seven bomb experts were among those who yielded to 602nd Infantry Brigade (IB) acting commander Col. Donald Gumiran.
Rojas said the surrenderees turned over 34 assorted firearms and explosives.
During tactical debriefing, the former militants said they decided to surrender after seeing many of their former comrades now living peacefully with their loved ones in their respective communities.
Gumiran said soldiers belonging to the 90th Infantry Battalion, First Scout Ranger Battalion and 33rd IB facilitated the surrender.
He said local government officials also played a vital role in convincing the militants who were under the Karialan faction of the BIFF.
In Maguindanao del Norte, six BIFF men surrendered in Upi town on Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the group also turned over their firearms upon the intercession of the 57th IB and local government officials.
More than 200 BIFF members have surrendered since January.