ZAMBOANGA CITY – A sub-leader of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) and five of his followers surrendered to the military, and turned over their high powered firearms in Maguindanao.
Armed Forces of the Philippines - Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr, said a sub leader of the BIFF- Bungos Faction
and five of his followers laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law in Maguindanao on Friday morning, Nov. 20.
Vinluan, identified the BIFF sub leader as Badtogan Amino, who also goes by the aliases Alas Amino and Boy Alas.
His five followers were identified as Rasid Sangkali, alias Kensi; Nasrudin Talib, alias Alex; Mohammad Abdul Samad, alias Abu Baida; Khulo Amino alias Ulo; and Aladin Gaapar voluntarily surrendered to the First Mechanized Infantry Battalion (1st MIB) led by Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, Jr.
Sanchez, said the six handed over one locally made 81mm mortar with base plate and one modified M14, one locally made Cal.50 Barret, and two locally made 7.62mm sniper rifles.
They were subsequently presented to Col. Ferdinand Lacadin, officer-in-charge of the 1st MIB, and Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan at the brigade headquarters in Barangay Kamasi, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
During the debriefing, Amino said that they decided to end their armed struggle because their manpower and capability was already dwindling, and that they were tired of moving from one place to another trying to get out of hock.
“This influx of BIFF surrenderers was a result of the continuing offensives coupled with the non-combat operations launched by the Joint Task Force Central,” Vinluan said.
“Likewise, this was also attributable to the good governance of the local chief executives and to the collaborative efforts of the military, other security agencies, the different stakeholders, and the peace-loving people of Maguindanao,” Vinluan added.
From January 2020 to the present, a total of 191 officials and members of the BIFF have surrendered and have been disarmed. Most of them already benefitted from the livelihood programs of the government and are now living peacefully with their families.
“With all our substantial gains and successful campaigns, Joint Task Force Central will remain steadfast in working for lasting peace in central Mindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, JTF Central Commander.
“To all our partners and stakeholders, thank you for being with us in this fight against terrorism and insurgency,” he added.