In just 24 hours, a total of 75 alleged communist rebels and local terrorists surrendered to the military in Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed Saturday, March 19.
Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said the surrender of the rebels and terrorists indicate their “dwindling strength” as the military continues its relentless operations to curb insurgency and terrorism before President Duterte steps down as the Commander-in-Chief in June.
According to Baclor, the rebels and terrorists yielded to various units of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) on Friday, March 18.
Among those who yielded were 39 “identified members” of different local terrorist groups in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao: 21 were from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Bungos faction, 12 from BIFF-Karialan faction, and six from Dawlah Islamiya (DI) under the command of Abu Turaife.
The surrendered terrorists also turned in 37 assorted firearms including various rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, grenade launchers, mortar, warhead rockets, and anti-personnel mines.
Meanwhile, 36 alleged NPA rebels also voluntarily submitted themselves to the 6ID in Brgy. Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
The rebels also yielded 25 firearms including rifles, sub-machine guns, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, and a hand grenade.
“The surrender is a result of the successful implementation of joint military operations under the supervision of the 6ID, PA ,” Baclor said.