BY NONOY E LACSON
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group supporters surrendered to the military in Barangay Dilausan, Madalum, Lanao del Sur.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. reported late Wednesday that the two yielded to the military last Tuesday.
Joint Task Force (JTF)-ZamPeLan commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio identified the two Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group supporters as Agar Sarif and Mansa Sarif, both residents of Barangay Gurain, in Lanao del Sur.
“While we continue to implement the whole-of-nation approach, we are certain that more disgruntled terrorist group members will be convinced to cross the line,” Ponio said.
The two handed over a Garand rifle and a Stag M4 rifle to the 55th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano as a gesture of their sincerity to reintegrate to the mainstream of the society.
“They returned to the fold of the law after a series of negotiation with the municipal consultant of Madalum and the implementation of the peace campaign of the 55th IB,” said Lt. Col. Alano.
According to Vinluan, during the initial debriefing, the two revealed that they used to provide food for the group during the emergence of the Daulah Islamiyah in Mindanao.
“With our localized peace negotiations and with the support of our stakeholders, we are optimistic that more terrorists and their supporters will reintegrate to the mainstream society,” Vinluan said. (Nonoy E Lacson)
