Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City — In a significant development in the government’s fight against terrorism, 16 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction (BIFF-KF) surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur on September 26, 2024. Among those who yielded was a high-ranking official known as alias Oding, the head of the Morsedin Division and a former adviser of the BIFF.
The surrender was facilitated by the Joint Task Force (JTF) Central, led by Commander Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, with the assistance of local government units. The former BIFF members laid down their arms to Lt. Col. Udgie Villan, Commanding Officer of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Zapakan, Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur.
Alias Oding, who once held a key leadership role under BIFF founder Umbra Kato, had joined the Karialan Faction after the group split following Kato’s death. He was later appointed as Brigade Commander of the 2nd Division under faction leader Zulkarnain Sapal, also known as Zuk.
The surrendering fighters handed over a cache of weapons, including two 60mm mortars, two rocket-propelled grenades, two M203 grenade launchers, a sniper rifle, multiple Garand rifles, submachine guns, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), among other high-powered firearms and ammunition.
The surrendering individuals were presented to Col. Ricky Bunayog, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, along with representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and local government units from Shariff Saydona Mustapha and Mamasapano.
Maj. Gen. Nafarrete lauded the efforts of the 33rd Infantry Battalion and the local government in facilitating the surrender, while the former BIFF members are now under custodial debriefing and profiling. The surrendered firearms have been turned over for proper disposition.
Western Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen. William Gonzales praised JTF Central’s commitment to counterterrorism, emphasizing the military’s continued efforts to eradicate threats in Central Mindanao. “We will continue to work tirelessly to clear every community from traces of terrorism,” Lt. Gen. Gonzales assured.
This surrender marks a key achievement in the ongoing peace and security efforts in Mindanao, as authorities strive to reintegrate former violent extremists and promote stability in the region.
