Maute-ISIS Supporters surrender anew in Lanao del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Aug 8, 2018) – Troops under Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN facilitated the surrender of the Maute-ISIS Terrorist Group supporters in Masiu, Lanao del Sur on August 06 11am, Military Official said.

        Maj. Ronald E. Suscano, Division Public Affairs Office Chief disclosed that the 49th Infantry Battalion led by Lt.Col. Edgar Allan S Villanueva together with Lanao del Sur Provincial police personnel, local government officials, and BIAF-MILF successfully negotiated for the peaceful surrender of Panarigan Tama Baoraki @Golden Boy and Hadji Rasul Amembering. Both were alleged leaders of the lawless group and supporters of the MAUTE-ISIS terrorist operating in Lanao del Sur who were targets of the AFP operation on July 26 but managed to escape.

        Maj. Suscano said that also surrendered are the family members Omair Amembering, Amir M Salik, Andy Salem Amembering, Zolaica Amatonding, and Norman Fatima Casan. Said personalities are likewise alleged as MAUTE-ISIS group supporters in the area.  They also surrendered the following high-powered firearms and other war materiel: one (1) cal 7.62mm M14, two (2) cal 5.56mm M16A1 rifles, one (1) steel magazine for M14, two (2) magazines long steel for M16, sixteen (16) rounds of ammunitions for cal 7.62mm and nine rounds for cal 5.56mm.

“I commend the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in Lanao del Sur led by 49IB for the successful negotiations which resulted to the peaceful surrender of the MAUTE-ISIS terrorists supporters”, said Major General Roseller G Murillo, the Commander of JTF ZAMPELAN.    

        Major General Murillo further added that “our recent successes in combat operations have been yielding positive outcome pushing the remnants of the MAUTE-ISIS group members and supporters to surrender.  More so, these successes clearly indicate their dwindling organizational leadership and capabilities”.

        The surrendered personalities are presently undergoing custodial debriefing at Hqs, 103rd Brigade in Kampo Ranao while surrendered firearms were turned-over to Hqs, 49IB for safekeeping and proper disposition, Maj. Suscaano added. (By JONG CADION)