AMPATUAN, MAGUINDANAO – At least thirteen members of the ISIS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom fighters surrendered Thursday to military authorities here.
Col. Jesus Rico Atencio, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, said the surrenderors also yielded high-powered firearms including two M-14 Rifles, two M-79 Grenade Launcher, three calibre 50 Barrett Rifles, three Rocket Propelled Grenades with three ammunition and Thompson sub-machine pistol.
He said the BIFF rebels who used to operate in the villages of Shariff Sadona Mustapha and Rajah Buayan towns had earlier surrendered to the 33rd Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Elmer Boogaling with the help of the local officials in the area.
Those who surrendered were identified as Nasrudin Mantawil, the group’s field commander, Anwar Lagasan, Baumol Manalasal, Masmo Manalasal, Abusama Manalasal, Rahib Mangansakan, Ali Saludin Mugawan, Humidi Abdulkadir, Hamdan Dia Kadir, Naem Usman, Omar Sampulna, Samsudin Pasawlin, and Mahamad Suhod, who were members of the BIFF under the faction of Kagi Karialan.
Boogaling lauded the local officials of Rajah Buayan and Sultan sa Barongis towns for facilitating the surrender of the BIFF rebels who were placed under the custody of the 33rd IB headquarters for debriefing before their turnover to the local government units. More than 80 BIFF rebels have yielded to military authorities in Maguindanao since January this year.