MANILA, Philippines — Six Abu Sayyaf and seven Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) bandits surrendered in Sulu and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively, on Wednesday.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits, whose identities were withheld for security reasons, surrendered to the 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) under Lt. Col. Edward Viteño in Sitio Tuwak, Barangay Bonbon in Patikul.
They turned over two M16 rifles, a Garand, Carbine rifles, an M203 grenade launcher and a caliber .45 pistol, Maj. Andrew Linao, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said.
Linao said 57 Abu Sayyaf bandits have surrendered since January.
Maj. Gen. Rillera, 6th Infantry Division commander, said among the seven BIFF surrenderees were a deputy commander for internal affairs, a deputy brigade commander and an operations officer of the militant group.
The bandits turned over a launcher for B40 anti-tank rockets, two bolt-action .50-caliber sniper rifles, a .30-caliber rifle and two M1 Garand rifles to the 6th IB in Barangay Buayan in Datu Piang. — John Unson