TO LIVE NORMAL LIVES. Influenced by the good and happy life of their former colleagues who surrendered earlier, seven Moro extremists (seated) surrendered to the Army on Monday. (Army photo)
SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao 鈥� Seven Moro extremists have surrendered to military authorities in Maguindanao claiming they were convinced by former colleagues who gave up their links to terrorism.
The surrenderees were all members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a group affiliated with the Islamic State.
They were presented by Lt. Colonel Nathaniel Balintong, commander of the Army鈥檚 92nd Infantry Battalion, to Colonel Leodivic Guinid, commander of the First Brigade Combat Team, during ceremonies here on Monday afternoon.
The BIFF gunmen, according to Balintong, were previously operating in the towns of Datu Salibo, Sultan Mastura, and Sultan Kudarat, all in Maguindanao.
Lawyer Cyrus Torre帽a, Maguindanao provincial administrator, Sultan Kudarat Mayor Tocao Mastura, Sultan Mastura Mayor Datu Rauf Mastura and Datu Salibo municipal secretary Unson Demaguil witnessed the ceremonies.
鈥淲e were convinced by how our former comrades who surrendered earlier are now living normal and happy lives,鈥� said one of the former BIFF gunmen who asked to withhold his name.
Guinid lauded the BIFF surrenderees and urged other gunmen still in the marshland of Maguindanao to take advantage of the government鈥檚 reconciliation program aimed at improving their lives and the community they live in.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 no security, there鈥檚 no progress,鈥� Guinid said, adding that the rebels鈥� decision to surrender was 鈥渁 step forward in having this economic progress in our midst in Maguindanao.鈥�
The rebels turned in seven firearms, including a home-made cal. 50 sniper rifle, and ammunition.
To date, the military listed 132 former BIFF rebels who have surrendered to the government through the Army鈥檚 6th Infantry Division.
RELATED STORY
BIFF commander, 10 others surrender in Maguindanao