12 terrorists surrender in Maguindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Twelve alleged terrorists surrendered to the military in Maguindanao over the weekend, security officials reported yesterday.

Nine of the surrenderees were members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), a local terror group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, according to Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

The militants surrendered on Saturday to Lt. Col. Samuel Nadala Jr., chief of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and Mayor Datu Tungkang Midtimbang of Datu Anggal Midtimbang town.

On Friday, two members of the Dawlah Islamiyah and a BIFF bandit surrendered to the military in nearby Datu Piang town.

Rosario said that since January this year, a total of 146 BIFF and 10 Dawlah Islamiya bandits have surrendered to the military and local government units in Central Mindanao.