In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

2 Maute remnants surrender in Lanao Sur

By Hirohito Cadion

December 4, 2018, 8:18 pm

Two remnants of the ISIS-inspired Maute group (holding firearms) surrendered on Monday to military authorities in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur. (Photo courtesy: First Infantry Divison Public Affairs Office) 

 

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Two remnants of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group have surrendered to military authorities in the province of Lanao del Sur, a military official said Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the two surrendered around 6:50 p.m. Monday to the troops of the 55th Infantry Battalion in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.

Murillo, who is also the Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) commander, declined to identify the two surrenderers for security reasons.

Murillo said the two yielded to the 55th Infantry Battalion their caliber .50 machinegun and one caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle.

Their surrender brought to a total of 31 Maute members who have surrendered since October, this year, to Joint Task Force Ranao troops in Lanao del Sur.

Murillo commended the efforts of the troops and community stakeholders involved that led to the surrender of the two Maute remnants.

“The continuous surrender of Maute’s entails a weakening of their organizational leadership and capabilities. Likewise, the surrender of loose firearms will minimize the crimes and atrocities in our area of operation,” Murillo said.

“We will continuously work together with stakeholders in order to encourage more Maute group and loose firearms to surrender,” he added.

Meanwhile, 24 loose firearms, one hand grenade and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered in Tubod, Lanao del Norte to the Army's 2nd Mechanized Brigade, also on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Thomas Sedano Jr., 2nd Mechanized Brigade commander, said a total of 746 loose firearms have been surrendered to them since January this year. (PNA)

 

Comments