3 'members of extremist group' surrendered; pulled out from Maguindanao by NBI
Three alleged members of extremist groups have been pulled out by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from Mamasapano in Maguindanao after they expressed their intent to surrender.
NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag presented to the media on Monday, March 16, the three persons who are alleged members of the Karialan faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) operating in Mamasapano.
“This successful surrender demonstrates that even those who have once taken the path of armed extremism can still choose peace,” Matibag said.
He also said that the NBI is committed to supporting government efforts that provide safe and lawful avenues for individuals who wish to abandon violence and reintegrate into society.
In a statement, the NBI said the three alleged members of an extremist group were extracted from Mamasapano last March 14 by operatives of the NBI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (NBI-BARMM) in coordination with the NBI Central Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-CEMRO), NBI- Sarangani District Office (NBI-SARDO), NBI Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD), and their partner security units.
It said the three persons also turned over to the NBI a .50 caliber Barrett rifle, a M79 grenade launcher, a M203 grenade launcher tube, a Mosin rifle with magazine, and two rounds of 7.62 live ammunition.
“According to intelligence sources, the individuals sought a secure and neutral channel for surrender due to fears of possible retaliation from remaining BIFF and DI elements in the area,” it also said.
With the information, the NBI said its operatives “conducted a protective extraction operation to ensure the safety of both the surrendering individuals and the operational team.”