ZAMBOANGA CITY — After enduring extreme poverty, exhaustion, hunger and constant military pressure, a sub-leader of a local terrorist group (LTG) and five of his followers in Sultan Kudarat have made a significant decision: To abandon their “cause” and return to a peaceful life with their families.

Lt. Col. Felmax B. Lodriguito Jr., commanding officer of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, shared that the six LTG members voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 2nd Mechanized (Makasag) Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tual, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, last Thursday.

Along with their surrender, they handed over a significant cache of weapons, including an M1 Garand Rifle, an M203 Grenade Launcher, a Barrett-type Sniper Rifle, an RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade), an M79 Grenade Launcher and an Ingram Submachine Gun (SMG).

The six LTGs were officially presented to Col. Ronel Manalo, the acting brigade commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry “Maasahan” Brigade, at the 1st Mechanized Brigade headquarters in Barangay Kalandagan, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Sultan Kudarat Vice Governor Raden C. Sakaluran was also present during the ceremony.

Brigadier General Donald M. Gumiran, commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force (JTF)-Central, welcomed the LTG sub-leader and his five followers into the folds of the law, praising their decision to embrace peace.

“This surrender shows that local terrorist groups in the region are slowly losing their support and strength,” said Brig. Gen. Gumiran. “It’s a positive sign, and we will continue to expand efforts like this, giving new hope to those who have lost their way.”

He also called on other members of armed groups to follow suit and return to the government’s fold, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and united community.

The six former LTG members will now go through the government’s reintegration programs aimed at their rehabilitation and peaceful return to society.