A TEENAGE member of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Dawlah Islamiyah who have gone into hiding has surrendered to government troops in the province of Lanao del Sur, officials said.
Major General Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division, identified the DawlaH Islamiyah surrenderer as Faharuden Hadji Sapilin alias Abu Abbas, 19.
Ponio said Abbas surrendered Thursday morning, November 12, to the Army's 5th Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Romulus Rabara in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
Ponio said Abbas turned over a homemade AR-15 rifle, magazine for .9-mm, and ammunition.
"Sapilin was involved in the series of encounters against government troops in towns of Pagayawan, Marogong and Tubaran and went lie-low after the neutralization of their notorious leader Abu Dar," Rabara said.
Owaidah Benito Marohombsar alias Abu Dar and four other Dawlah Islamiyah members were killed in a clash with government forces in March 2019 in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.
Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said they will sustain the relentless operation against the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorists despite their continuous surrender.
"We will not allow them to relax and destroy the future of teenagers in Lanao del Sur, who were their targets of recruitment," Cuerpo said.
Ponio lauded the troops for their accomplishment and sustained military operations despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Through health and security endeavors, we assure the constituents in the area of responsibility the commitment and determination of every Tabak trooper," Ponio said. (SunStar Zamboanga)