Seven members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under Bungos Faction yielded at the headquarters of the 7th Infantry (Tapat) Battalion in Barangay Midtimbang, Datu Angal Midtimbang, Maguindanao on April 6.

 “This is a significant development in our campaign against the BIFF in our area of operation,” said Col. Jose Narciso, commander, 601st Infantry Brigade, in a statement by the Western Mindanao Command Thursday.

 The  BIFF members who surrendered were Commander Naot Palaguyan, a.k.a. Abu Hamdan; a.k.a. Akbal Abpi; a.k.a. Jimmy Angkana; a.k.a. Nguda Sangkina; a.k.a. Tato Tio; a.k.a. Aries Abdul; and a.k.a. Danga Pindaliday.

They  are relatives residing in Barangays Darampua and Angkayamat, Sultan Sa Barongis.

 “They were members of the BIFF under “Bungos Factions” operating in the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato. The group was held responsible for the bombing incidents in Tacurong City and Cotabato City that inflicted fatal casualties,”  Narciso added.

 They handed over one homemade Cal. 50 rifle, one homemade Garand rifle; one homemade Thomson sub machine gun; one homemade shotgun; one homemade Uzi.

 “Our troops conduct series of intensified stakeholder engagement to encourage the remaining terrorists to surrender and cooperate with the government,” said Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, Joint Task Force Central commander.

 The BIFFmembers revealed that they returned to the folds of law due to  hardships, abuses, and discrimination from their commanders.

 They were also tired of hiding from pursuing government forces.

The surrender was facilitated by the troops of the 7IB in collaboration with former Mayor Datu Nathaniel Midtimbang who provided cash assistance to the seven men. WesMinCom