Four high-ranking BIFF officials surrender in Maguindanao

December 20, 2019

Four high-ranking officials of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to government troops in Maguindanao on Thursday morning.

Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command, said the four BIFF officials under the Bungos faction were identified as "Ibrahim Odin, BIFF’s 3rd Brigade Commander, 2nd Division; Diya Musa, 1st Battalion Commander, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division; Daud Paglas, admin officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, and Yasser Abunawas, son of Abunawas Damiyog and operation officer, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division." 

The rebels surrendered to soldiers of 34th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Indatuan, Northern Kabuntalan at 8:40 am on December 19, he said.

The group turned over one Barrett rifle, one M-16 rifle, one rocket-propelled grenade, one improvised explosive device, and pieces of ammunition, he added.

Encinas said troops turned over firearms surrendered by the BIFF to the 34th Infantry Battalion headquarters for disposition. 

Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the Joint Task Force Central,  said "the military encourages even hardcore fighters to surrender to government troops for a chance to rebuild their lives as we are serious in extending peaceful mechanisms to those who contemplate to turn themselves in,” 

“Peace entails inclusive and participative solutions that we deem it necessary to involve and convince rebels to return to the fold of the law," he added. Robina Asido/DMS