By JONG D. CADION
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Jan,
25, 2019) - Two (2)
Maute-IS member, one being a child warrior, surrendered to elements of 49th
“Good Samaritans” Infantry Battalion based in Butig, Lanao del sur at around
3:00pm January 24, 2019, military official said.
Capt. Clint
Antipala, OIC Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) Chief disclosed that the
surrender came amidst focused-military operations in the adjacent municipality
of Sultan Dumalandong.
Capt.
Antipala identified the two returnees as, @Hussein, 17 and @Ashlani, 34, were
recruited and trained by the Maute brothers sometime in 2013 at Brgy. Sandab,
Butig, Lanao del Sur.
According to
Lt Col Edgar Allan S Villanueva, Commanding Officer of the 49th Infantry
Battalion, the duo surrendered in fear that they might be targeted for the next
military operations.
“Takot kami
na baka isunod nalang kami sa operation. Iniwan nalang kami ng mga leader
pagkatapos nung encounter namin. Wala narin kami matakbuhan kaya sumuko nalang
kami” (We were afraid that we will be operated on next. We were left by our
leaders after one of our encounters. We have nowhere to run so we opted to
surrender), said @Ashlani.
Their
surrender was facilitated by the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Post (JCMP) and the
local community.
Relationships
between the military and the local populace were also positively reinforced
through intensified Civil-Military Operations conducted by units in the area.
“We have
intensified our Civil-Military Operations to build good rapport with the
populace in the area” LTC Villanueva Notes.
“Out here, it
is not just about fighting the enemy, but also how to win communities – and
that truly made a big impact when it comes to the accomplishing our mission.”
He adds.
The returnees
expressed their fear of government troops but was convinced to lay down their
arms after referring to other locals.
“Nung una,
natatakot kami na magsurender dahil baka saktan nila kami, pero sabi naman
samin ng mga tao na mabait naman daw ang mga sundalo sa area. Masaya kami dahil
tinatrato kami ng maayos ng ating kasundaluhan.” (At first we were afraid to surrender
because the soldiers might hurt us, but we were told that soldiers in the area
were kind. We are happy that we are being treated well by our soldiers) Ashlani
remarks.
“Ngayon na
nagsurrender na kami, makakatulog na kami at ang pamiliya namin ng maayos. Kung
kailangan na panagutan namin ang ginawa namin, tatanggapin namin ang kapalaran
namin” (Now that we have surrendered, we can sleep well without worrying about
our and our family’s safety, if we have to face justice, then we will accept
our fate) the returnee notes.
“We are
giving them a chance to live a peaceful and meaningful life. We are calling on
the remaining Maute-IS fighters to surrender peacefully to the nearest military
installation before the next combat operations falls into your doorsteps. Take
this offer now before it’s too late.” said Col Romeo Brawner, 103rd Infantry
Brigade Commander.
"The
armed encounter is the result of our relentless campaign against Maute ISIS
remnants and Abu Dar group," Said Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo,1st Infantry
Division and JTF Zampelan Commander.
"We also
ask the local populace for their trust, support and prayers for our troops who
are still in the area to neutralize the
remaining Maute ISIS remnants who continously threaten the safety and well being
of Meranaos," He added. (With Tabak DPAO PR)
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