SEVENTY-FIVE terrorists and communists surrendered to military units in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat last Friday, an Armed Forces official reported. AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said 39 of those who surrendered are terrorists who gave themselves up at the headquarters of the 6th Infantry Division (ID) in Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.
Baclor said 21 of the 39 terrorists are members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Bungos faction, 12 are from the BIFF Karialan faction, and six are members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Turaife Group.
He said the terrorists brought with them 37 assorted firearms, including M16s and sniper rifles; warhead rockets; and anti-personnel mines.
“The surrender (of the 39) is a result of the successful implementation of joint military operations under the supervision of 6th ID, PA (Philippine Army,” Baclor said.
In Sultan Kudarat, 36 New People’s Army rebels surrendered to the Army’s 37th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tibpunan in Lebak town. The communist rebels turned in 25 assorted firearms and a hand grenade during their surrender.
Scores of NPA members have surrendered in recent weeks as government troops continue their efforts to meet President Duterte’s order to end the rebel group before the end of his term in June this year.
As of last January, the military said the NPA has about 2,500 fighters assigned with 41 guerilla fronts throughout the country.
