PIAGAPO, Lanao del Sur--To show their sincerity in backing once again the government, at least two members who were recruited by the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) and some 49 supporters all from barangays Lininding, Taporog and Kalangnan in the municipality of Piagapo, this province, formally surrendered Monday, April 11, before the presence of 103rd Infantry Brigade (Bde) and 51st Infantry Battalion (IB) officials, and municipal Vice Mayor Ali Sumandar, signifying their disaffiliation from the local terrorist group and their return to the fold of the law.
They also handed over their firearms including one each M1 garand rifle and caliber 45 pistol from the members, and two M1 garand rifles from the supporters.
They also pledged in front of the holy Qur'an not to be part of the DI-MG again and denounced the group's existence in the communities.
51st (IB) commanding officer LtCol. Fernando Payapaya said the event is an outcome of their effort of deploying psychological operations (PSYOPs) in the area identified as a fortress of the DI-MG which consequently made the mindset of the civilian residents installed with wrong ideologies.
“Nakita kasi natin na hindi basta-basta pala iyong iniwan na bakas ng DI na nakatira diyan noong past 2021 kaya naisipan namin na magdeploy ng offensive PSYOPs para maneutralize ang ating mga kababayang Maranao na twisted ang katotohanan nila sa Islam,” he said.
[We saw the consequence left by the DI living there in past 2021 was indeed not simple that is why we thought of deploying an offensive PSYOPs to neutralize our fellow Maranaos whose beliefs were twisted from that of the true Islam.]
Payapaya said most supporters were immediate families or relatives of the DI-MG members which explained their usual encounters with the terrorist group and their leaning faith towards the wrong teachings, especially at the time when no military troops existed in their area.
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| Dawlah Islamiyah - Maute Group (DI-MG) surrenderers receive sacks of rice and food packs from the government during their formal yielding to the authority Monday, April 11. (Michael John Paclar/PIA-Lanao del Sur) |
As the mass surrender of former members and supporters in particular villages of the town came successful, 103rd Infantry Bde commanding officer BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II conveyed this as the time that people had already opened their minds, eyes and hearts to witness the truth and unfortunate happenings in the province.
With this, he reiterated his call to those still associated with the local extremist group to follow the path of those who have surrendered and be aware that the government is with them, ready to help them start anew.
“Ako ay nanawagan muli na buksan na ang ating kaisipan, mata at puso… Handa kaming makipagtulungan upang maibigay kung anuman ang dapat na maibigay sa inyo doon sa barangay at maipasok ang serbisyo ng gobyerno upang maipaunlad natin ang buhay natin. Tama na iyong nalugmok tayo sa kalokohan at bayolenteng buhay,” said Cuerpo.
[I am asking once again to open our minds, eyes and hearts. We are ready to help so that we can give whatever we can give to you there in the barangay and bring the services of the government to improve our lives. The time when we were stuck in deceit and violent lives is already enough.]
Before the recent surrender of members and supporters, the 51st Infantry Battalion recorded 30 supporters who likewise submitted themselves to the authority. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
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