ILIGAN CITY – Five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and a member of the Daulah Islamiyah-Turaife Group surrendered and turned over their firearms to the military at the 1st Brigade Combat Team headquarters in Barangay Pigcalagan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on Tuesday, May 2.
The continuous conduct of focused and civil-military operations by the 92nd Infantry Battalion and the support of the local government and the peace-loving people of Maguindanao del Norte led to the surrender of the former violent extremists.
The rebels handed over three 7.62mm sniper rifles, one Springfield Garand rifle, one 40mm grenade launcher, and one rocket-propelled grenade launcher. All surrendered firearms were turned over to the Brigade Support Battalion, 1st BCT for safekeeping.
The former violent extremists were presented to 1st BCT commander Brig. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, the local government officials of Pigkawayan, Libungan, and Midsayap, Ministries of Public Order and Safety and Interior and Local Government of BARMM, and the Philippine National Police counterparts.
According to Joint Task Force Central commander Major Gen. Alex Rillera, the five former rebels underwent initial processing for validation to qualify them to avail of benefits and programs from the BARMM government, spearheaded by the MPOS and the MILG.
“We are encouraging the remaining militants to lay down their arms and join the government in working for the coveted peace and progress here in Mindanao,” said Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
"Rest assured that we will employ more pressure on the ground to force the local terrorist to cross the line," he added.