TWO alleged members and five supporters of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute group have surrendered to government authorities in Lanao del Sur, the military said.
Major General Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, identified the surrenderers as Panarigan Tama Baoraki alias Golden Boy, Hadji Rasul Amembering, Omair Amembering, Amir Salik, Andy Salem Amembering, Zolaica Amatonding, and Norman Fatima Casan.
Baoraki and (Rasul) Amembering are alleged members of the Isis-inspired Maute group while the others were supporters of the group.
Murillo said they surrendered around 11 a.m. Monday to the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allan Villanueva in Masiu, Lanao del Sur.
The army official said Baoraki and Amembering were targets of the military operation on July 26 but have managed to escape.
He said they have yielded high-powered firearms and war materiel consisting of the following: one M-14 rifle; two M16A1 “Baby Armalite rifles; one steel magazine for M-14 rifle; two long stell magazines for M-16 rifle; 16 rounds M-14 ammunition; and nine rounds M-16 ammunition.
He said the surrender of the Maute members and supporters was facilitated from the local government officials, police and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front aside from the 49th Infantry Battalion. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)