ZAMBOANGA CITY--A sniper of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked Maute group has surrendered to military authorities in Lanao del Sur, a military official said Thursday.
The surrender of the Maute group sniper came a day after seven members and supporters of the same group have surrendered to military authorities in Lanao del Sur.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said the Maute sniper surrendered to the Joint Task Force Ranao around 5 p.m. Wednesday in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
The Maute group, also known as the Dawlah Islamiya, established a headquarters in Butig after it was founded in 2012.
Murillo said the surrender of the Maute sniper was jointly facilitated by the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion, Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Adhoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG), and local officials of Lanao del Sur.
Murillo said the Maute surrenderee turned over a caliber 7.62-millimeter sniper rifle and was placed under custodial debriefing.
“Collective efforts of various stakeholders is very essential in the attainment of peace and prosperity in our area of operation,” the military official added.
On Tuesday, seven Maute group members and supporters also surrendered to the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) identified them as Mamao Alyodan, Oden Sangcopan, Salahudin Manan, Alexander Amerol, Nora Udasan, Allan Amerol, and Patak Sangcopan. They yielded three M1 Garand Rifles, one Carbine, four caliber .45 pistols, and one 9-mm pistol.
“Task Force Ranao now reaps the fruit of the ongoing Community Support Program in Lanao Del Sur,” Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said.
“This success is a result of the combined efforts of the troops, the local government units and the populace in the joint battle against terrorism,” Dela Vega added. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)
