ANOTHER young member of the Maute Terror Group surrendered to military authorities in Lanao del Sur, officials said Wednesday, November 14.
Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Allan Villanueva, Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the young Maute surrenderer as a certain “AJ,” 15, who was recruited by his cousins, the Maute brothers, in Butig, Lanao del Sur in 2014.
Villanueva said AJ surrendered on Tuesday to his battalion in Butig. He said AJ was trained with 12 other members and one of them identified only as Asnor already surrendered to his battalion last October 29.
Asnor, who also surrendered to Villanueva’s battalion, was 14 years old when he was recruited by the late Maute leader, Abdullah Maute, in 2014 together with other 12 minors.
“Nine years old was their youngest recruit and most of them were involved in armed engagement with government forces in the month of February and November of 2016,” Villanueva said.
He said AJ was placed under custodial debriefing in his headquarters.
Major General Roseller Murillo, 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) commander, commended the efforts of troops that facilitated the young fighter to surrender.
“We are glad to hear that AJ decided to surrender and this is the best chance for him to return to mainstream society and achieve his aspiration (in life),” Murillo said.
The surrender of AJ have brought to 21 Maute members who have surrendered since October, this year Joint Task Force Ranao troops in Lanao del Sur.
Seven surrendered to the 55th Infantry Battalion on October 9 in Pagahyawan; a sniper surrendered on October 10 to the 49th Infantry Battalion in Butig; two on October 16 also to the 55th Infantry Battalion in Lumbaca-Unayan; three on October 18 to the 49th Infantry Battalion in Masiu; six on October 22 to the 49th Infantry Batallion in Sultan Dumalondong; and, one also to the 49th Infantry Battalion on October 29. (SunStar Philippines)