By Noel Punzalan and Edwin Fernandez (PNA)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — The provincial government of Maguindanao formally accepted from the military Thursday nine members of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who have decided to return to mainstream society.
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu led the turnover ceremony held at the headquarters of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Tual, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. He was joined by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division Assistant Commander for Reservist and Retirees Affairs Col. Antonio Sugarol, and General Salipada K. Pendatun (Maguindanao) Vice Mayor Salman Kali.
Major Arvin John Encinas, the Army’s 6th ID spokesperson, said the surrenderers yielded two .50-caliber sniper rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one M653 assault rifle, M14 rifle, and two M79 grenade launchers.
Encinas said negotiations for the latest batch of BIFF surrenderers began on Oct. 26 and facilitated by local government officials, in coordination with the Army’s 33rd IB.
The BIFF surrenderers are set to receive a livelihood package from the Maguindanao provincial government.
Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Sajid Mangudadatu also led the handover of PHP20,000 each to the former rebels as an additional incentive.
The governor has assured succeeding batches of BIFF surrenderers that they would be given equal opportunity for livelihood assistance once they return to the folds of the law.
