Five Dawlah Islamiyah members with bomb expertise surrender in Maguindanao del Sur

Five members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan Group surrendered to the military in Maguindanao del Sur on Monday, March 10.

Among the surrenderers were two individuals identified as experts in fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The group turned over their weapons, including IEDs, an M1 garand rifle, a bolt action 7.62-millimeter sniper rifle, an M16 assault rifle, and a 5.56 M4 rifle.

The surrender was facilitated through the intercession of Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu of the 601st Infantry Brigade, officials of the 90th Infantry Battalion, and local executives.

The Dawlah Islamiya group is known for extortion and involvement in deadly bombings in Central Mindanao since 2014, and promotes hatred towards non-Muslims, which is contrary to Islamic teachings on tolerance.

They pledged allegiance to the government during a symbolic surrender rite in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.