7 BIFF members yield in North Cotabato

NO longer content with their life as insurgents, seven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in North Cotabato on Friday, a ranking official said.

Philippine Army (PA) Public Affairs Office Chief Col. Jorry Baclor identified the BIFF members as Mamao Abdurahman, Barager Amella Akmad, Norolam Zacaria Akmad, Sandoto Mamental Guialil, Abdul Hamid Malawi, Emran Kugang Alimama and Jehad Samad who yielded to the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion (90IB) under the 602nd Infantry Brigade of the 6th Infantry Division in Pikit, North Cotabato.

They turned in a Garand rifle with ammunition, a Carbine rifle, three homemade M14 Barrett rifles with two magazines, a homemade Caliber 50 Barrett rifle with one magazine, and one homemade M203 grenade launcher with ammunition.

The surrenderers, who are currently under the custody of 90IB for an interview and proper disposition, were subsequently presented to Mayor Sumulong Sultan of Pikit, North Cotabato, and Col. Jovencio Gonzales, commander of 602nd Infantry Brigade.

BIFF, also known as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement, is an Islamist militant organization based in Mindanao.

Source: TheManila Times