DATU ANGGAL MIDTIMBANG, Maguindanao del Sur — In a significant boost to the government’s ongoing peace and security efforts in Mindanao, five former members of a violent extremist group voluntarily surrendered to authorities on May 4, 2026, bringing with them an assortment of high-powered firearms.
The surrender was facilitated by the 1st Mechanized Battalion under the leadership of Lt. Col. William G. Sabado. The former combatants were formally presented to Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, during a ceremony held at the battalion headquarters in Barangay Midtimbang.
Identified as Datu Ali S. Samat, Morad S. Datu Ali, Guialudin Samsudin Salipada, Tohami Katu Maguid, and Diya Bakang Dagadas, the individuals pledged allegiance to the government and expressed their intention to reintegrate into society.
Alongside their surrender, the group turned over a cache of weapons, including a .30 caliber M1 Garand rifle, a .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle, two 9mm Uzi submachine guns, and an M79 grenade launcher—equipment that authorities said could have posed serious threats to civilian communities if left in hostile hands.
Local government officials and representatives from various agencies witnessed the turnover, signaling a unified effort toward peacebuilding. Among those present were Talayan municipal council member Mohalidin P. Kasim, social welfare and disaster response officers, and representatives from the Bangsamoro Police and social welfare sector.
As part of the government’s reintegration program, the surrenderers received immediate livelihood and humanitarian assistance. This included 25 sacks of rice, 20 boxes of canned goods, 20 boxes of assorted relief items, and cash aid provided by the local government of Talayan.
In testimonies shared during the event, the former extremists described the harsh realities of life within armed groups. One of them recounted constant fear, instability, and the burden of living in hiding.
“Life inside the movement was not easy. We had no certainty, always hiding and afraid of every move,” one surrenderer said. “We are grateful for the opportunity given by the government and the military. We chose to change for our families and for a better future.”
In his message, Brig. Gen. Catu emphasized that the surrender reflects a genuine desire among former fighters to abandon armed struggle and embrace peaceful lives with their families. He urged remaining members of extremist groups to follow suit and take advantage of government reintegration programs.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Jose Valdimir R. Cagara, commander of Joint Task Force Central and the 6th Infantry Division, lauded the development as a testament to the effective collaboration among the military, police, and local government units.
“The continued surrender of former extremists shows that our coordinated efforts are working,” Cagara said. “We remain committed to sustaining peace and supporting those who wish to rebuild their lives toward a peaceful and progressive community.”
Authorities underscored that such developments highlight the gains of the government’s localized peace engagements and reinforced calls for the remaining armed elements to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.