24 Moro rebels surrender in Maguindanao provinces

Two dozen Moro extremists surrendered in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday, opting for peaceful lives over armed conflict, the military reported Friday. In one of the surrender ceremonies, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, welcomed 12 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte. 'They received financial and livelihood packages from the local government unit and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,' Nafarrete said. The extremists surrendered to the Army's 57th Infantry Battalion (57IB) in Barangay Mirab, turning over a 60mm mortar tube, assault rifles, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. In a separate event on the same day, another 12 members of Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF surrendered and laid down their weapons. Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the Army's 601st Infantry Brigade, accepted the surrenderers and praised their decision to return peacefully. 'Welcome, and live peacefully with your families,' Pangcog said, emphasizing that the government remains open to those who wish to reintegrate into society. Pangcog noted that the 12 BIFF members operated in the towns of Datu Piang, Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao del Sur. Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, commander of the Army's 6th IB, said local police and officials played key roles in convincing the group to abandon their armed activities and accept the government's peace offer. The former rebels also received livelihood support to aid their reintegration into civilian life. Source: Philippines News Agency