ZAMBOANGA CITY – A known Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG), follower operating under the Omar Maute Group, surrendered to soldiers of the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82nd IB) in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.
Joint Task Force ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao), in a belated report reaching the Armed Force of the Philippines- Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom), here, early Friday, identified the DI-MG member as Samad Macaampon Ali, also known as Abu Samad, 40, and a resident of Barangay Gacap, Piagapo in Lanao del Sur.
Samad submitted himself to soldiers of the 82nd IB, Advance Tactical Command Post located in Barangay Gacap, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, according to the report submitted by JTF ZamPeLan Commander Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio.
Ponio said Samad also turned over his M-79 grenade launcher, and was received by Lt. Col. Raman Altre, commanding officer of the 82nd IB.
According to Ponio, Samad was a known DI-MG member under a certain Abu Sierra, a sub-leader of the Omar Maute Group.
AFP-WestMinCom Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr. said Samad decided to come out after being on lie-low status since he left the group sometime in 2017 because he wanted to be with his family, live a peaceful life, and be a productive citizen of this country
“Through the implementation of our Community Support Programs, we gained the trust and support of the people including the relatives of the DI-MG remnants,” said Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade.
“Samad revealed that one of the factors that convinced him to surrender was his family. They were aware that the government assists all those who lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law,” Cuerpo added.
Samad was brought to the 82nd IB headquarters in Barangay Pawak, Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, for custodial debriefing and proper disposition.
“This success was a result of the combined efforts of the 82nd IB troopers, the intelligence operatives, the local government units, and the people of Lanao del Sur,” Ponio said.
“I also encourage the others who are still hiding to just submit themselves to the government forces and avail of the programs of the government,” Ponio added.