17 BIFF gunmen yield to police in Region 12

FILE PHOTO: This 2022 photo shows BIFF fighters turning over their firearms to local and military officials in Maguindanao. (Army photo)

KORONADAL CITY — Seventeen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have turned their backs on terrorism by laying down their guns.

Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) Director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg welcomed on Wednesday the former BIFF gunmen who turned in two anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one homemade cal. 50 Barret sniper’s rifle, two caliber .45 pistols, one Glock .9mm pistol which is a property of the Philippine National Police-9, and ammunition.

Police Regional Intelligence Division-12 head Colonel Abubakar Mangelen led the negotiation for the BIFF gunmen’s surrender.

Mangelen presented them during a ceremony held at the PRO-12 multi-purpose hall in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City.

READ: 50 BIFF members surrender in Maguindanao del Norte — PNP

Macaraeg said the surrenderers are being processed to avail of the government’s incentives under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

“We warmly welcome our brothers and sisters who have recognized the futility of their previous cause. They have seen through the empty promises, falsehoods, and deceit propagated by their former leaders during recruitment,” Macaraeg said.

READ: 8 BIFF fighters surrender in Maguindanao

To date, more than 60 BIFF, who were blamed for a series of atrocities like bus bombings, have either been killed, arrested or surrendered to police authorities in the region.

“We anticipate further voluntary surrenders,” Macaraeg added.

READ: BIFF member yields to Army in Maguindanao