MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR, Philippines — Fifteen members of a local terrorist group voluntarily surrendered to government forces and turned over an arsenal of firearms and explosives in a significant development in the government’s ongoing peace and counterinsurgency campaign in Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, June 19.
The surrender took place in Barangay Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, where the former combatants formally yielded to troops of the 90th Infantry Battalion (90IB) under the leadership of Lt. Col. Loqui O. Marco.
Military officials said the surrenderers were later presented to Brig. Gen. Edgar L. Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry (Unifier) Brigade, as part of the government’s continuing efforts to promote peace, stability, and development across conflict-affected communities in the province.
The former members of the armed group turned over several high-powered weapons and explosive devices, including rifles, shotguns, a grenade launcher, an Uzi submachine gun, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), significantly weakening the group’s operational capability.
The surrender was facilitated through the government’s Balik-Loob Program, with support from six local government units and their respective municipal police stations within the operational area of the 90IB. These include the municipalities of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, and Datu Abdullah Sangki.
The initiative was further backed by the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Sur, the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), highlighting a coordinated effort among various government agencies to address insurgency and armed conflict through peaceful means.
Brig. Gen. Catu described the mass surrender as a clear indication that the government’s peace-building initiatives are yielding positive results.
“The voluntary surrender of fifteen former members of an armed group is a clear manifestation that our collective efforts for peace are bearing fruit. More than a security achievement, this is a triumph of unity, trust, and giving our fellow citizens a second chance to live peacefully with their families,” Catu said.
He emphasized that the military will continue strengthening its partnerships with local governments, the Philippine National Police, BARMM, and other stakeholders to permanently end armed conflict and foster lasting peace and development in Maguindanao del Sur and neighboring areas.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Jose Vladimir R. Cagara, commander of Joint Task Force Central and the 6th Infantry Division, said the continuing wave of surrenders reflects the weakening influence of local terrorist groups following the deaths of several of their key leaders and the sustained implementation of the government’s Whole-of-Government Approach.
“The continuing surrender of members of local terrorist groups reflects the success of the government’s peace campaign and demonstrates the weakening of these organizations. Through the support of the PNP, local government units, and other partner agencies, we are reaching communities that were once affected by armed conflict,” Cagara said.
He also encouraged remaining members of armed groups to abandon violence and take advantage of government reintegration programs that provide opportunities for a fresh start and a peaceful life with their families.
Military officials noted that the latest surrender underscores the effectiveness of the government’s peace and reintegration programs, which combine security operations with socio-economic interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of insurgency.
The surrender of the 15 former combatants and the turnover of their weapons mark another milestone in the government’s efforts to dismantle armed groups in Central Mindanao and advance long-term peace and security in the Bangsamoro region.