Mindanao Peace Process

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao  – Tired of fighting the government and realizing they were duped to join armed struggle even without proper training, eight members of a communist movement who belonged to the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community in Sultan Kudarat have surrendered to military authorities Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Romel S Valencia, commander of the 7^th Infantry Batalion Battalion, said the New Peoples Army (NPA) also turned in 13 firearms and numerous explosives during surrender rites in Barangay Masiag, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Eight more members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters surrendered Wednesday.

The BIFF, tagged in all deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2013, operates in the fashion of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, said Thursday the eight BIFF members are led by Johar Palaguyan.

COTABATO CITY  --- Peace advocates agreed to foster together unity among Muslim, Christian and non-Moro indigenous sectors in Maguindanao and in Cotabato City during a forum Wednesday.

The event, dubbed “Mindanao One for Peace,” was led by Cathleya Diocolano, area chairperson of the Junior Chamber International (JCI).

Diocolano is also involved in humanitarian outreach programs for Muslim and non-Muslims.

The JCI is a transnational cause-oriented organization.

COTABATO CITY --- Four more members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, two of them henchmen of the long wanted Kagui Karialan, surrendered Wednesday.

They yielded through the efforts of the Army’s 92^nd Infantry Battalion and local leaders in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town in Maguindanao.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, said Thursday the four men, Ustadz, Magdusa, Kano and Abu Zubair, shall be reintroduced into mainstream society with the help of different line agencies and the Bangsamoro regional government.

COTABATO CITY --- Another bloc of local terrorists surrendered in Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao Friday, two days after the arrest of a Dawlah Islamiya leader while on his way to South Cotabato province.

Major Gen. Juvymax Uy of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division said Saturday Commander Mulawin and his 10 followers yielded through the efforts of the Army’s 33^rd Infantry Battalion and the 1^st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

TACURONG CITY --- Former members of a terror-group tagged in deadly bombings in central Mindanao finished Friday a livelihood workshop as initial step towards their reintegration into the local communities.

Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 601^st Infantry Brigade based in Barangay Kalandagan here, said the entrepreneurship development training was facilitated by the Bangsamoro local government ministry.

Galido said 26 now reforming erstwhile members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters benefitted from the three-day activity.

LANAO DEL SUR --- The police and military collected Tuesday 28 unlicensed firearms surrendered by residents of Wao town through the intercession of local officials.

The cache, 21 shotguns, four .38 caliber revolvers, a .22 caliber revolver, a super .38 caliber pistol, and a 9 millimeter Uzi machine pistol, were turned over by Mayor Elvino Balicao, Jr. to officials of the Army’s 602^nd Infantry Brigade and the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police during simple rite Tuesday in the town proper of Wao, Lanao del Sur.

TACURONG CITY --- Thirteen members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, six of them bomb-makers, surrendered here Friday.

The group bolted from the BIFF and pledged allegiance to the government through the intercession of Lt. Col. Edwin Alburo and Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commanders of the 40^th Infantry Battalion and the 601^st Infantry Brigade, respectively.

ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – A ranking communist rebel and a companion have surrendered to the military in their desire to be with their families peacefully, an Army official today said.

Lt. Colonel Rommel Valenica, 7^th Infantry Battalion commander, presented the New Peples Army (NPA) surrenderees to Sultan Kudarat Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu, also chair of Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (ELCAC) during the Firearm Renumeration Program for former rebels.

It was held at the Sultan Kudarat Sangguniang Panglalawigan session hall Friday morning.

COTABATO CITY --- The Armed Forces chief of staff who got a Medal of Valor for gallantry and whose tenure ended Saturday urged southerners to emulate how residents of Basilan have made their province peaceful.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana who retired from the Philippine Army on July 31, was still a captain in a Ranger unit when he got maimed in a deadly clash with Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Barangay Kapayawan in Isabela City in Basilan on January 13, 1995.