23 ‘terrorists’ surrender in Maguindanao, North Cotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Twenty-three members of suspected terrorist groups surrendered in North Cotabato and Maguindanao on Friday.

Nineteen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and four Dawlah Islamiya gunmen turned over assorted firearms to the 90th Infantry and First Mechanized Battalions.

The BIFF and Dawlah Islamiya have been tagged in recent bombings in Central Mindanao.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the surrenderees renounced their ties to the terrorist groups in ceremonies held in Pikit and Ampatuan towns.

More than 300 BIFF members have surrendered in batches in the past 18 months.