8 BIFF fighters surrender
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2019 08:26:34 +0000
SEAL of the Army 6th Infantry Division (From Facebook)
COTABATO CITY – Eight combatants of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have yielded to authorities amid intensified operations coupled with persuasions by both civilian and military officials in Maguindanao, an Army official announced Sunday.
Major Arvin Encinas, Public Affairs Office head of the Army 6th Infantry Division, said the eight BIFF fighters led by Gani Saligan were presented in a press conference at the 6ID headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao yesterday.
Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, presented Saligan’s group to Army 6th ID head Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana and other military officers alongside Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and local civilian authorities.
Encinas said the presentation and press conference were originally set at the 603rd IB headquarters in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, one of four communities constituting the so-called “SPMS box,” a known operational area of three BIFF factions.
Saligan is a sub-commander of Ustaz Karialan, figure head of one of the BIFF factions.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front leadership and local military leaders considered Karialan as a “moderate” rebel leader “inclined” to join the fold of law once the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is put in place.
News about the surrender of Saligan’s group came a day after Air Force planes dropped bombs in Sitio Tatak in Barangay Tugal, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao town where field combatants of Daesh-inspired Abu Toraife’s BIFF faction were reportedly holding out in 20 bunkers. (Ali Macabalang)