CAMP DARAPANAN, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte — A total of 44 individuals allegedly involved in the use and distribution of illegal drugs voluntarily surrendered to the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces – Moro Islamic Liberation Front on March 26, 2026, marking a significant development in ongoing grassroots efforts to curb illegal drug activities in the Bangsamoro region.
The surrender took place at Camp Darapanan, the main base of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and was described by local officials and MILF leaders as a collective step toward reform and community stability.
According to reports, the individuals included alleged users, pushers, and runners of illegal drugs who chose to turn themselves in amid intensified campaigns led by the Task Force of BIAF-MILF. The initiative is anchored on directives from the MILF Central Committee, which aims to promote Islamic teachings and discourage prohibited activities, including drug use and trafficking.
The surrender was the result of coordinated efforts among local authorities, law enforcement, and MILF forces. Key roles were played by barangay officials, the Philippine National Police, and the BIAF-MILF Task Force, reflecting a multi-sectoral approach to addressing the drug problem at the community level.
Local leaders emphasized that the move aligns with broader calls for unity and peace, including appeals from provincial leadership to strengthen peace and order initiatives across barangays. The collaboration underscores a growing partnership between government institutions and the MILF in maintaining stability in former conflict-affected areas.
BIAF-MILF officials stressed that the initiative does not end with the surrender. The individuals will undergo intervention programs designed to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. These include access to livelihood training, values formation, and coordination with government agencies and civil society groups to ensure sustained recovery.
“This is not just about surrender—it is about transformation,” a Task Force representative said, highlighting the importance of guiding former drug dependents toward productive and responsible citizenship.
The MILF leadership reiterated that its anti-drug campaign forms part of a long-term vision to build peaceful, progressive, and drug-free communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Authorities also signaled that similar initiatives will continue in the coming months to encourage more individuals to abandon illegal activities and embrace reform.
The latest development reflects a continuing shift toward community-based solutions in addressing illegal drugs, with religious, local, and security sectors working together to foster lasting peace and social order in the region.