ZAMBOANGA CITY -Two Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group supporters surrendered to the military in Barangay Dilausan, Madalum, Lanao del Sur  as the military continued to implement the whole-of-nation approach  to win the hearts of local terrorist groups in the most troubled areas in Mindanao.

Armed Force of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) Commander Lt Gen Corleto Vinluan, Jr. reported  late Wednesday night that  the two surrendered to the military on Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

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, Lanao del Sur.

Ponio said  “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."

The two turned over one Garand rifle and one Stag arms M4 rifle to 55^th Infantry Battalion (IB) Commander Lt. Col. Franco Raphael Alano as a gesture of their sincerity to reintegrate to mainstream society.

“They returned to the fold of the law after a series of negotiations with the municipal consultant of Madalum and the implementation of the peace campaign of the 55^th IB,” Alano said. 

“We continuously encourage local terrorist groups and their supporters to surrender and return to the fold of the law,” said Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander. 

“Amid the pandemic, our relentless operations continue to pre-empt terroristic activities,” he said. 

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 as one of the powerful terrorist groups in Mindanao. 

“We laid low after the Marawi siege, then we heard that most of the members are coming out and are availing of the livelihood programs of the government, so we decided to surrender as well. This will be a great opportunity for us to live peacefully and happily with our families,” they said. 

Ponio commended the troops of the 103^rd Brigade and the 55^th IB  for remaining steadfast and dedicated to their sworn duties and responsibilities.

“With our localized peace negotiations and with the support of our stakeholders, we are optimistic that more terrorists and their supporters will reintegrate to mainstream society,” Vinluan said.