CAMP SIONGCO, MAGUINDANAO – The residents of Maguindanao continues to thrive in having a peaceful community as the Local Chief Executives of the Municipality of Talitay turned-over six (6) loose firearms and crew served weapons to the security forces in the area while a combatant of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) – Karialan Faction returned to the folds of the law at the Municipality of Datu Anggal MIdtimbang bringing along one (1) M16 rifle on September 8, 2021.
The turn-over of six (6) loose firearms and crew served weapons was made possible by Hon Fahad J Midtimbang, OIC of Talitay, Maguindanao and was presented to Colonel Pedro Balisi, Commander of 1st Mechanized Brigade, at Talitay Detachment, Brgy Poblacion, Talitay, Maguindanao.
The turned-over firearms and crew-served weapons includes: one (1) 60mm Mortar; one (1) cal.50 Barret; one (1) M14 Rifle; one (1) Carbine Rifle; one (1) Shotgun; and one (1) M79 Grenade Launcher.
“The effort of the Local Chief Executives in the area is very significant in our desire to make the Province of Maguindanao peaceful and secured from any armed threats. This initiative is an indication that even the residents of Maguindanao longs to achieve peace in their communities,” Col. Balisi said.
On the same day, a combatant of the BIFF-Karialan Faction identified as Badrul Salam K Madsig alias Badrul choose to live in peace with the government and community as he returned to the folds of the law, turning-over himself to security forces at Brgy Midtimbang, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao.
“Badrul also turned-over one (1) M16 Rifle to security forces and at the same time vowed to cooperate with the government to make Maguindanao a peaceful place to live,” said Lt.Col. Samuel Nadala, Commanding Officer of 2nd Mechanized Battalion.
Optimism in winning the peace in Maguindanao was further expressed by Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander of JTF Central and 6ID, PA as surge of surrenderees and turn-over of loose firearms continues to transpire in the Province of Maguindanao for the past months.
“The help and assistance of the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units of Maguindanao is very significant in making the entire Province of Maguindanao peaceful and a safer place to live,” said Maj. Gen. Uy adding that the Province of Maguindanao’s AGILA-HAVEN Program is vital in drawing number of former BIFF and Daulah Islamiya combatants back to the folds of the law.
The turned-over firearms and crew served weapons were deposited at Headquarters 2nd Mechanized Battalion for safekeeping while the former BIFF combatant is now under the custody of the said unit for debriefing and processing of livelihood assistance under the AGILA-HAVEN Program of the Province of Maguindanao.
