Twenty-three members of Dawlah Islamiya (DI) splinter groups have surrendered to the government, military officials reported Monday.
Lt. Col. Al Victor Burkley, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion (6IB), presented the former extremists to Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, during a ceremony at the 6IB headquarters in Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang.
Burkley said the surrenderers were operating in the municipalities of Datu Salibo, Mamasapano, Midsayap, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Hoffer, and Ampatuan.
They also yielded 23 assorted firearms and war materiel, including grenade launchers and 60mm mortars.
As part of their reintegration program, the former combatants will receive two agricultural tractors, sprayers, 42 sacks of rice, and cash assistance from local officials.
One of the surrenderers, identified only as “Kareem,” admitted they had realized the futility of joining violent extremist groups.
“We know living with our families is better than fighting a lost cause. We really appreciate this government program of reconciliation,” Kareem told reporters in the vernacular.
Catu commended the group for choosing peace, telling them that laying down their arms and abandoning violence was “a wise and correct decision.”
“You not only saved yourself but also your families and loved ones. You save your children, who are the ultimate victims of violent extremism,” he told the surrenderers.
Over the weekend, the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion also welcomed the surrender of war materiel from civilians from the Bangsamoro Region Special Geographic Area in North Cotabato province.
The surrendered weapons included .50-caliber sniper rifles, mortar tubes, and assault rifles.
