MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--While the campaign to end insurgency in Lanao del Sur province is intensified, the military, government offices, and even private groups have joined forces to iterate a strong call on former local terrorists and other members of lawless organizations to finally put an end to their ideology of misleading stable communities and welcome peace in their lives.

Brigadier General Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, emphasized the importance of rebels surrendering their forbidden aims. It, he explained, would create an environment conducive to unity and development.

He looked forward to seeing the returnees living normally and seizing tranquility in the following years.

With this, Barroquillo likewise stirred them to help persuade their fellows who were still part of the uprising to yield and return to the fold of law after maintaining that going against the government would bring no good.

“Sana ang pagbabalik-loob niyo ay tuloy-tuloy na. Sana tulungan niyo rin kami na maconvince ang iba pa ninyong mga kasama na bumaba na at sumuko na lang. Walang katuturan ang magbarilan tayo sa bundok,” he said.

(I hope your return will be continuous. I hope you can also help us convince your other companions to get down and just quit. There is no point in fighting in the mountains.)

Strategic Communications and Capacity Building (SCCB) Project Philippine Coordinator Aliah Adam, on the other hand, lauded the courage of the former insurgents who walked back to customary society. 

She underlined that the act of these individuals who turned their back on their pact was deemed a brave move, especially since this has engraved scars in their lives. 

“Ang landas na inyong pinili ay hindi madali. Ito ay nangangailangan ng pagbabago sa inyong sarili at malalim na pangako na magpagaling ng mga sugat,” said Adam.

(The path that you chose is not easy. It needs a change in yourselves, and a deep promise to heal your wounds.)

In return for their sincere decision to be integrated into a peaceful community, the government and its partners conveyed that they would be more determined to extend necessary assistance to the concerned populace. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)