Khalid Kalaing alias Khalid, a sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiya Maguid Terrorist Group, voluntarily surrendered on Wednesday (June 2) through the joint efforts of the 7th Infantry Battalion, 601st Brigade, and 603rd Infantry Brigade.
According to 7th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Romel Valencia, the 57-year old sub-leader, who was operating in the province of Sultan Kudarat, surrendered at the headquarters of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
Khalid brought with him one M635 rifle, one M16A1 rifle, one .30 calibre M1 carbine, one M14 rifle, one .30 calibre M1 Garand rifle, and magazines and ammunition of different calibers.
Valencia said the surrender was due to the relentless efforts of security forces with the cooperation of local officials and the community.
He also said a series of surrenders of local terrorist group members in Central Mindanao were recorded during the past few months after the Joint Task Force (JTF) Central sustained its campaign against terrorist and armed lawless groups.
Meanwhile, JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy called on terrorist group members to return to the fold of the law and start a peaceful and sustainable life with their families.
The surrender of a Dawlah Islamiya sub-leader is a clear manifestation that the government’s approach in dealing with terrorist groups in Central Mindanao is effective, Uy added.
Continuous coordination is being undertaken by JTF Central and the different local government units in the area to supply appropriate cash, livelihood assistance, and benefits to members of terrorist groups who have surrendered, in order to help them start a new life in the community. – Report from Bea Bernardo/PG-jlo
