11 BIFF members yield to Army troops in Maguindanao

AMPATUAN, July 28 -- Eleven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have voluntarily surrendered on separate occasions to the operating units of the Army's First Mechanized Infantry Brigade in this province.

Lt. Col. Cresencio Sanchez, 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, presented the first four BIFF fighters in a ceremony to Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, at their headquarters in Barangay Kamasi here around 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mayor Marop Ampatuan of Shariff Aguak, this province, witnessed the event.

"These former violent extremists are under the Bungos Faction of the BIFF operating in the boundaries of the commonly known as SPMS Box in Maguindanao," Sanchez said.

SPMS box is a military term for the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha, this province.

"They signified their intention to return to the fold of law because they were already exhausted of eluding government forces," Sanchez said.

The four BIFF surrenderers yielded a crew-served weapon and assorted high-powered firearms consisting of one US-made .50 caliber machinegun, one Carbine rifle, one M-16 Armalite rifle attached with an M-203 grenade launcher, a US-made .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle, and one home-made 7.62-millimeter (MM) sniper rifle.

"This is another milestone in winning the peace in the province of Maguindanao, as we witnessed the return of our BIFF brothers to the government and live normal lives in the community," Sanchez said.

Balisi lauded the efforts of the 1st Mechanized Infantry "Lakan" Battalion and municipal government of Shariff Aguak for convincing the former violent extremists to surrender to the government.

Specifically, Balisi lauded Mayor Ampatuan for his unwavering support to the military's campaign against violent extremists.

Balisi encouraged the other members of the BIFF to return to the fold of law so they could live a better life with their families.

"You did the right thing since starting today, the Army will no longer run after you because you are no longer wanted persons," Balisi told the surrenderers. "You can now live peacefully and productively together with your loved ones".

Ampatuan extended initial cash and rice assistance as he welcomed the former BIFF combatants.

He stressed that the Shariff Aguak municipal government is ready to help those who want to surrender and start a new life together with their families.

Meanwhile, Balisi welcomed seven BIFF members who separately surrendered around 4 p.m. Tuesday to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, this province.

The seven surrenderers, who operated in the mountains of the said town, were convinced by local officials to surrender and to avail of the government's program for former rebels.

Balisi said the former BIFF members turned over two M-14 rifles, one M-16 Armalite rifle, one homemade .50 caliber Barret sniper rifle, a .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle, an M-79 Grenade Launcher, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and ammunition.

"I commend you for choosing the right path. Go to your loved ones and live normal lives," Balisi told the former rebels.