ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A remnant of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel surrendered to units under the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, officials said Thursday.
For security reasons, the military authorities only identified the Maute group member as Budo, and the NPA squad leader as a certain Jhon-Jhon.
Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion commander, said Budo surrendered in Butig, Lanao del Sur on Wednesday.
“Budo was involved in the harassment of the Pantar Detachment in June 2017 during the height of the Marawi siege as a diversion while the bulk of the IS-inspired Maute terrorists are fighting in the main battle area,” he said.
Villanueva was referring to the five-month siege of Marawi City by Maute group militants.
He said the surrender of Budo brought to 22 the number of Maute members who surrendered to Joint Task Force Ranao troops in Lanao del Sur last October.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ryan Severo, Army’s 10th Infantry Battalion commander, said that Jhon-Jhon surrendered in Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday.
Severo said Jhon-Jhon was the team leader of an NPA unit operating under the rebel group's Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.
Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade, said they will enroll Jhon-Jhon to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) of the government.
ECLIP provides financial and livelihood assistance and other benefits to rebels who return to the folds of the law.
Maj. Gen Roseller Murillo, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division Commander, commended the efforts of the troops for the successful surrender of the Maute member and NPA rebel.
“We will continuously encourage NPAs and IS-inspire Maute members to surrender in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in our area of responsibility,” added Murillo, who is also the Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) commander. (PNA)
