Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte – December 20, 2024
In a significant development towards restoring peace and stability in Mindanao, two active members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction (BIFF-Karialan) voluntarily surrendered during a joint counterterrorism operation facilitated by various law enforcement units.
The operation was led by the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO), with tactical support from personnel of the 41st Special Action Company (41SAC), 4th Special Action Battalion (4SAB), and other Philippine National Police (PNP) units. The surrender took place at the Old Capitol in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
The surrenderers, identified by their aliases Subo and Boy, were non-PSR-listed members of the BIFF-Karialan Faction. They operated in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, and the SPMS box, a region encompassing Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi Ampatuan town), Mamasapano, and Shariff Saydona. The SPMS box is notorious for its history of armed encounters and insurgent activities targeting government forces.
Authorities credited their persistent efforts and strategic collaboration for persuading the two individuals to abandon their armed struggle and reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. As a gesture of their commitment to peace, Subo and Boy surrendered an improvised caliber .30x33mm carbine rifle with one long magazine and two rounds of ammunition, as well as an improvised rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) with one round of RPG ammunition.
The Maguindanao del Norte PPO has taken custody of the surrenderers and their surrendered items. The office will oversee their documentation, proper disposition, and enrollment into the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which aims to support former rebels in transitioning back to civilian life.
This successful operation underscores the steadfast commitment of the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) and its pivotal role in counterterrorism efforts. By working in close collaboration with other PNP units, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterparts, and local stakeholders, the SAF continues to strengthen its resolve to bring lasting peace to conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Such efforts are vital to fostering stability and development in a region long plagued by insurgency and violence.
The voluntary surrender of Subo and Boy serves as a testament to the effectiveness of sustained government initiatives aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation, marking another step forward in the collective effort to achieve enduring harmony in the region.