By Edwin Fernandez

CHOOSING PEACE. Military officials accept the surrender of a Dawlah Islamiya bomb expert (center) in Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday (May 22, 2025). The 35-year-old turned in weapons and explosives, citing military pressure and family reunification as reasons for yielding. (Photo courtesy of 6ID)

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – A 35-year-old bomb-making expert of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group on Thursday turned himself in to the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT), bringing weapons and explosives with him.

The former extremist, whose identity remains protected, yielded one Uzi 9mm submachine gun and a 60mm improvised explosive device during surrender rites at the 1BCT headquarters in Sultan Kudarat.

In a radio interview with reporters Friday, Brig. Gen. Jose Vladimir Cagara, the 1BCT commander, cited the military’s sustained operations and the surrenderer’s desire for peace as key factors in his decision.

“This shows our peace program works,” Maj. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, said, urging the remaining DI members to surrender.

The military also credited local officials for facilitating the peaceful turnover. (PNA)