COTABATO CITY – “Surrender and live normal lives with your families.”
With these words, Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, police regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), appealed Wednesday to remaining members of the Islamic State-linked Maute terrorist group in Lanao del Sur to choose the right path of life.
Mijares issued the appeal after six members of the Maute terrorist group voluntarily surrendered to police and military authorities in the town of Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur, on Monday.
Mijares lauded Maute members Kasanudin Hadji Razul, Hizam Imran, Salic Musa Mangao, Taybo Abaser Kandi, Songra Hadji Razul and Nader Musa Mangao, all farmers and residents of Barangay Sumalindao, for their surrender.
The surrenderers were recruited in 2016 by Abdullah Maute, one of the founding leaders of the terrorist group that attacked Marawi City in 2017. The rebels also turned over to the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion three M79 grenade launchers, one Barrett sniper rifle, and a Carbine rifle.
Mijares said the police are working closely with the Philippine Army to employ diplomacy and convince the terrorists that “life outside is happier and easier than in the jungles fighting the government”.
He said some remnants of the Maute terror group have already sent surrender feelers to local officials in Lanao del Sur. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
