Three members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter surrendered and turned over their high-powered firearms to the military in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, the Armed Forces of the Philippines — “Western Mindanao Command reported Friday.
The said fighters surrendered to Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo, commanding officer of the 40th Infantry Battalion, at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, according to AFP-WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Roy Galido.
Galido said two of the surrenderers were previously under the BIFF-Karialan faction, while the other was from the group’s Bungos faction.
The three also turned over one 7.62mm sniper rifle, one cal. 50 sniper rifle, and one 40mm rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
During the initial interrogation, the surrenderers claimed they were already tired of hiding from pursuing troops in the forested areas of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.
The three are now in the custody of the 40th IB while undergoing documentation and custodial debriefing.