50 BIFF men surrender in Maguindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Fifty suspected members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered in Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. witnessed the mass surrender during his visit to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police headquarters at Camp Pendatun in Parang town.

The group turned over assault rifles, grenade launchers, mortar rounds and bomb components, Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, BARMM police director, said.

Thirteen of the surrenderees were bomb experts, local officials said.

Acorda commended the former rebels for their decision to surrender as he offered them a livelihood program.

He said the PNP and its partners are committed to ensuring that former rebels will have sustainable income through livelihood training, skills development and financial aid. — John Unson