A SUPPLIER of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) terrorist group has surrendered to military authorities in Lanao del Sur, military officials announced.
Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesperson, identified the surrenderer as Hadji Soaib Ander, who claimed to supply guns, ammunition and food to the DI, formerly known as the Maute Group.
Encinas said Ander turned over one US-made KG9 semi-automatic pistol and two 9-mm long magazines with 29 rounds of ammunition when the latter surrendered around 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2019, to the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
He said that Ander supplied firearms, ammunition and food to the DI group led by Ali Amintao a.k.a White Lawaan during their series of encounters with the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade troopers on 2016 in Butig.
Brigadier General Romeo Brawner, Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Ander had a son named Hadip who was recruited by the Maute brothers. The son was killed in a firefight on September 23, 2017.
The surrender of Ander was facilitated by the 49th Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company troopers and Butig Mayor Dimnatang Pansar.
Ander is currently undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of 49th Infantry Battalion in Camp Darul-iman, Barangay Sandab, Butig.
“Convergence is all we need in our quest for peace and sustainable development here in Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief.
“Rest assured that we will remain relentless in our efforts against the different threat groups as we accustom the whole-of-nation approach in ending terrorism and radicalism,” Sobejana added. (SunStar Philippines)