8 More BIFF Bomb Experts Surrender in Maguindanao

Eight more suspected bomb experts of terrorist group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to the military in Datu Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday. The suspects were allegedly followers of the late BIFF leader, Esmael Abubakar, who was killed in an encounter in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, yesterday said the surrenderees wanted to avail themselves of the reconciliation program being offered by the government. The surrenderees turned over their firearms to officials of the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion before pledging allegiance to the government in a ceremony in Barangay Kabengi. Two of the surrenderees, Hamodi Anding and Monib Gundam, admitted that they were involved in extortion activities of the BIFF, which victimized Muslim and Christian businessmen. They said they threatened to bomb establishments whose owners refused to give “protection money” to the BIFF. The surrender of the eight terrorists came a day after six of their colleagues turned over their firearms to the military in the nearby town of Datu Anggal Midtimbang.