A MEMBER of the Maute group, now known as the Dawlah Islamiya, has surrendered to authorities in the province of Lanao del Sur, a top military official said Thursday, September 12.

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said Amer Ador Gandawali surrendered around noon Wednesday, September 11, at the 49th Infantry Battalion's advanced command post in the village of Poblacion Bayabao, Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Sobejana said Gandawali, 19, handed over one rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) Heap and its launcher.

He said Gandawali's surrender was facilitated by the 49th Infantry Battalion's Charlie Company, Butig town officials and Maliksaif Masjeda, a representative of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Post (MILF-JCMP).

Sobejana said Gandawali was a member of the group under former Dawlah Islamiya sub-leader Ali Amintao alias While Lawaan, who fought the government forces during a focused military operation in 2016.

"We are delighted that more militants are now returning to the mainstream of society. It is but a greater achievement to end terrorism in a peaceful way than engaging in armed confrontations," he said.

He said they are confident that significant headway can be achieved in the quest for peace and stability in Mindanao with strong collaboration with other government line agencies and stakeholders. (SunStar Philippines)