In a move that signals progress towards peace, six members of the notorious Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) have surrendered to the police in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The event took place in Cotabato City, where the fighters, previously under the command of Kagui Karialan, handed themselves over to the authorities. Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, the regional police director for BARMM, highlighted the surrender as a crucial step forward, attributing it to persistent government efforts in both operations and negotiations. Macapaz expressed optimism about the reintegration of these former fighters into society, viewing their decision as a positive shift towards peace. The BIFF, known for its allegiance to ISIS and its goal to establish an Islamic state in Mindanao, has been notorious for its violent activities against both military and civilian targets. The surrendered militants handed over an array of weapons, including a homemade .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, a .30-caliber Garand rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a homemade rocket-propelled grenade, an Uzi machine pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Macapaz assured that the police would keep a close watch on the former BIFF members to prevent any return to their previous militant activities.
