Three Daesh (Islamic State)-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) linked to atrocities in Datu Piang, Maguindanao surrendered Thursday afternoon to police authorities in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, police director for Police Regional Office- BARMM, said the 3 p.m. surrender of the terrorists, all belonging to the BIFF Karialan faction, was a result of diplomatic efforts by the local police of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, commander of the Philippine National Police – Western Mindanao Area Command who visited PRO-BARMM, received the firearms from three BIFF surrenderers.
The surrendered BIFF firearms included two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a homemade sniper rifle, and ammunition.
“This is one of the series of surrenders that the police have facilitated in Maguindanao,” Ugale said, adding that he expects more surrenderers soon.
On Friday, a certain alias Khalid, one of the surrenderers, said they have been duped in joining the BIFF.
“It is a futile cause. I advise curious Maguindanaons, especially the young ones living in the remote areas, not to join the BIFF because the organization is full of lies,” he told reporters in a phone interview.
Since January this year, more than 200 BIFF and private armed group members have peacefully surrendered with their firearms in Maguindanao, PRO-BARMM records showed.
Ugale said the BIFF Karialan faction was the same group that harassed the Datu Piang municipal compound, the Sta. Teresita Catholic Church and burned a police car of Datu Piang police on December 3, 2020.
Source: Philippines News Agency