MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR/SOUTH COTABATO - A group of 10 Moro extremists and three communist rebels surrendered to military authorities in Maguindanao del Sur and South Cotabato. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing efforts to resolve conflicts in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Gen. Gonzales, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command, welcomed the rebels' decision to abandon their struggle against the government. The surrender, which took place on Thursday, included five members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maguid Group and three New People's Army (NPA) rebels, who turned over various firearms and ammunition. South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo attended the presentation of the former rebels, who previously operated in South Cotabato and General Santos City. Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, described the surrender as a welcome development and a result of the rebels being misled by deceitful circumstances. In a separate event in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur, five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)-Kagui Karialan faction surrendered to the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion. Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, commander of the Army's 601st Brigade, noted that the surrender was influenced by previous surrenders of BIFF members to the government.