Moro extremists yield to troops in Maguindanao

THREE members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered with their guns to the military, an Army official said Friday.

Lt. Col. Benjamin Cadiente Jr., Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) commander, said the three belonged to the BIFF-Kagui Karialan faction who surrendered in Zapakan village, Rajah Buayan town in Maguindanao del Sur last Thursday.

“They feared for their lives because of our relentless campaign against them. That is one of the reasons they decided to yield,” Cadiente said.

The surrenderers turned over two Carbine rifles and a Garand rifle to Cadiente.

One of the former extremists, identified only as alias Tiu, said they were exhausted from always being on the run and eluding pursuing military forces.

“Our fight is going nowhere, we want to live normal lives with our families,” he told the government troops.

Tiu vowed to help the government to convince their colleagues in the mountains to give up and avail of the government programs for surrendering rebels.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Roy Galido, Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) commander, lauded the 33IB troopers and local officials for working together for the surrender of BIFF members.

“The government is ready to welcome those who want to reform, the government will provide them the opportunity to live normal lives,” he said.

Since January this year, a total of 178 BIFF fighters have surrendered to the 6ID in Central Mindanao.