Cotabato City: Six members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered to police authorities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday, marking a significant step toward peace in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, BARMM police regional director, stated that the surrender of the heavily armed BIFF members under Commander Kagui Karialan was the result of relentless government operations and negotiations.

Macapaz emphasized the importance of this event, noting, “This is a significant breakthrough as these individuals have chosen the path to peace and reintegration into mainstream society.”

The BIFF, known for its alliance with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has been involved in violent extremism, targeting both government forces and civilian communities in its quest to establish an Islamic state in Mindanao.

The surrendering individuals handed over a variety of weapons, including a homemade .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, a .30-caliber Garand rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, a homemade rocket-propelled grenade, an Uzi machine pistol, and a 12-gauge shotgun.

Macapaz assured that authorities will maintain vigilant monitoring of the activities of the surrendering BIFF members to ensure they do not return to their former organization.