The military reported on Wednesday that 29 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Karialan Faction have yielded to soldiers on Monday in Maguindanao.
The faction is said to be a breakaway group of the BIFF, one of the many groups in Mindanao that have pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State, the military has claimed.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman Major Arvin Encinas said the surrenderers turned over assorted high-powered firearms and war materiel to members of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion at Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.
“A holistic approach, applying military and non-military actions will be sustained, and hoping that the other various militant factions in the region will be laying down their arms,” Encinas quoted Col. Jose Narciso, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, as saying.
“This feat inspires us to intensify our offensives even more,” Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force (JTF) Central Commander, for his part, said.
Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana credited the surrender to the joint effort of various groups in Western Mindanao.
“This massive surrender of the BIFF militants is attributed to the gallant soldiers of Joint Task Force Central, the local government units, BARMM officials, traditional and religious leaders and the civilian community, who continue to converge for the attainment of peace and sustainable development in Central Mindanao,” Sobejana said.
Among the firearms that were turned over to the soldiers were an M-14 rifle; an Ultimax rifle; two 50 caliber Sniper rifles; two rocket-propelled grenades; an M-79 grenade launcher; seven sniper rifles; caliber 50 barrel; a grenade launcher, 40 mm M-79 ammunition; two rifle caliber 30 M1 Garand; a 5.56mm Ultimax 100 Mark III; a 9 mm, Ingram submachine gun; caliber 50 Barret; two rifle caliber 30 M-1 Garand; a grenade gauncher 40 mm M-79; a grenade launcher; 40 mm M-203 tube; a 9mm, Uzio submachine gun; Subversive documents; an ISIS Flag; a BIFF Flag and one RPG ammunition.
“This achievement is a breakthrough for the JTF Central. With the weakening of their group, we are confident that more fighters will be compelled to cross the line,” Sobejana said.
The surrendered BIFF fighters are currently undergoing custodial debriefing while their firearms are temporarily placed under the custody of 33rd IB for documentation.