By Edwin Fernandez
COTABATO CITY – Eighteen former Moro extremists voluntarily surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday afternoon, declaring they were tired of hiding from military offensives, the Army reported Thursday.
Lt. Col. Christian V. Cabading, commander of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Battalion (92IB), presented the surrenderers and their firearms to visiting Maj. Gen. Ramon P. Zagala, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division based at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.
The surrenderers were formerly associated with the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), all operating in Maguindanao del Sur, specifically in the adjoining towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano.
“Their decision to lay down arms and return to the folds of the law reflects courage, reconciliation, and the hope of starting anew with their families and communities,” Cabading said in a statement.
Aside from the 18 firearms turned over by the surrenderers, 24 other loose firearms were surrendered through the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program.
The surrendered weapons include rocket-propelled grenades, sniper rifles, grenade launchers, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers.
“Each firearm handed over reduces the instruments of violence and brings us closer to a safer community,” Cabading said.
During Wednesday’s surrender rites, Zagala stressed the importance of education in building lasting peace in communities.
“We erase ignorance and prejudice with education,” he said, addressing the former combatants.
He underscored that by spreading knowledge, communities can break free from the cycle of violence and misunderstanding that extremist groups exploit.
He urged the former extremists to ensure that their children availed of the government’s free education program, their ticket to personal development.
Zagala lauded the surrenderers for choosing peace over violence, commending their bravery to embrace a new beginning for themselves and their families.
Zagala also commended the 92IB for exceeding mission expectations, especially through peace-building efforts that foster trust among the people. (PNA)
