WEARY COMBATANTS. Moro extremists who yield to the Army pose with government security forces in Maguindanao after turning over high-powered firearms during surrender rites in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town on Wednesday (March 30, 2022). The surrenderers, all members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters- Karialan faction, say they are all tired of the relentless military operations against them. (Photo courtesy of 40IB) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - A dozen Moro extremists have decided to surrender and hand over their high-powered firearms to authorities following the series of military campaigns in Maguindanao. In a statement Thursday, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, the Army's 6th Infantry Division commander, said the 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, including two sub-leaders, surrendered to the Army's 40th Infantry Battalion (40IB) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The rebels, who surrendered Wednesday afternoon, were led by Anwar Pegas, a sub-leader of the BIFF-
TIRED COMBATANTS. Local police and military officials pose with 12 of the 13 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who surrendered to the Army's 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Salunayan, Midsayap, North Cotabato on Monday (Feb. 14, 2022). On the same day, a 14th BIFF member (inset) handed over his rifle to Mayor Ramil Dilangalen of neighboring Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao during surrender rites also inside the 34IB base. (Photo courtesy of 34IB) MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato - Tired of fighting for a futile cause, 14 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) yielded to the Army's 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) here, officials reported Tuesday. Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez Jr., 34IB commander, said the BIFF members surrendered to his unit in two batches on Monday. Vilchez said a BIFF field commander under the Kagui Karialan faction, identified as alias Malayo, was among those who surrendered along with his 12 followers and were accompanied by Norodin Akis
NEW LIFE AHEAD. Two communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels, hoping to be reunited with their families, peacefully surrender to the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday (Feb. 8, 2022). More than 30 NPAs have so far surrendered to the Army's 6th Infantry Division area of operation since January 1 this year. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Two more communist rebels have voluntarily surrendered to military forces in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, boosting the military's pronouncement that the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the province is on the decline. Lt. Col. Allen Van Estrera, the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion (IB) chief, said Tuesday the two rebels, both belonging to the Dragon Fruit Platoon, NPA East Daguma Front, Sub-Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Region, have turned in a 12-gauge shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver. "They are very much welcome to return to the fold of the law," he sa
NEW LIFE. Five former combatants of the New People's Army in Sultan Kudarat pose with their rifles after their peaceful surrender to the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (Jan. 3, 2022). The surrenderers will be enrolled in the government's Enhanced - Comprehensive Local Integration Program to start a new life. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Four communist New People's Army (NPA) sub-commanders and a female political guide have surrendered to authorities in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat to return to a peaceful life with their families, the military here reported Friday. Lt. Col. Rommel Valencia, Army's 7th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the five rebels yielded to government troopers in Barangay Kapaya, Bagumbayan, on Thursday afternoon. He identified the surrenderers as alias Wendel, a squad leader under "My Phone" Platoon; alias Elagan, a team leader under NPA Platoon "Bagdad;" ali
RETURN TO NORMAL LIFE. Col. Jovencio Gonzales, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, inspects one of the seven firearms surrendered by 14 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) members in Midsayap, North Cotabato on Friday (Jan. 7, 2021), as Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez Jr. (extreme left), the 34th IB commander, and the surrenderers look on. The latest batch of surrendering BIFF fighters said they were all longing to be reunited with their families. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) MIDSAYAP, North Cotabato - Military and local officials here have welcomed the surrender of 14 members of the extremist Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who all wished to live peaceful lives once more, military officials said Saturday. Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez, 34th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the BIFF group surrendered before them Friday afternoon at their headquarters in Barangay Salunayan. "Twelve of the BIFF combatants were adults while two were minors," he said. Vilchez, who presented