ILIGAN CITY – A field commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and five of his followers surrendered to the military in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Saturday, Sept. 24.
They yielded six high-powered firearms – one 5.56mm M653 rifle, two caliber .30 Garand rifles, one caliber .50 sniper rifle, and two 7.62mm M14 rifles.
The surrenderers were presented by Lt. Col. Samuel Nadala Jr., commanding officer of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, to Col. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade at its headquarters in Barangay Kamasi.
Immediate cash assistance was awarded to the former violent extremists.
“Their documents will also be processed for enrollment in the reintegration program of the government," said Pangcog.
Joint Task Force Central Commander Major Gen. Roy Galido said they were convinced to surrender after they saw that the government is sincerely implementing the reintegration program.
The military said 178 BIFF members and supporters have surrendered from January to Sept. 19, 2022 in Central Mindanao.