ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three members of the Dawlah Islamiya voluntarily surrendered to government authorities in the province of Lanao del Sur, officials announced Friday.
Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, II, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, who welcomed the surrenderees, identified them as Acmad Imam Dimacaling, 32; Asnawi Macali Aras, 26; and Lani Aris Parid, 21.
Cuerpo said they turned over one M-79 grenade launcher, a caliber .45 pistol, and a Garand rifle, when they surrendered Thursday to the Joint Task Group Haribon and police at the headquarters of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in Kampo Ranao, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
Cuerpo said the three Dawlah Islamiya surrenderees were immediately interviewed for profiling as basis for immediate assistance ad psycho-social interventions in line with the reintegration program of the government.
The brigade commander admired the willful support of the three surrenderees to the government.
He thanked the government officials who helped facilitate the surrender of the three members of the Dawlah Islamiya.
He urged the other local terrorist members to lay down their arms and return to their normal lives with their family.
Meanwhile, Cuerpo said his command will continuously implement the Community Support Program-Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism program to provide a breathing space for the community and government agencies and ensure the provision of government services where these are needed most. – Nikolai Gonzalo