FIFTY-TWO former members of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute group, now known as the Dawlah Islamiya (DI), have received food packs and hygiene kits from the national government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
The Army’s 1st Infantry Division said in a statement Sunday, July 26, 2020, that the 5th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the Butig Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) facilitated the distribution of the food packs and hygiene kits.
Each of the 52 DI surrenderers received a relief pack composed of 25 kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles and other food items.
They also received personal hygiene packs and surgical masks to protect them from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The 5IB and staff of Butig town conducted a simple program and open forum to determine the issues and concerns of the former DI members and how the government can help in resolving such issues.
Lawyer Dimnatang Pansar, Butig town mayor, and his staff thanked the 5IB and OPAPP for their assistance to the former DI members.
Pansar committed the full support of the municipal government to the MTF-ELCAC's goal of attaining peace and sustainable development in the province of Lanao del Sur. (SunStar Zamboanga)