2 Maute Group men surrender

Two members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group surrendered to the military in Lanao del Sur on Friday.

A military report disclosed that they turned themselves in to the Army 55th Infantry Battalion in Pagayawan at about 9 a.m.

Their identities were not disclosed but they belong to the group of Owayda Benito Marohomsar, alias “Abu Dar,” who became the leader of the Maute-ISIS remnants after the successful military operation during the Marawi City siege.

“Based on our initial custodial debriefing, the two were tired of running and evading our troops,” said Lt. Col. Ian Ignes, 55th Infantry Battalion commander.

“Our combat operation will be relentless and continuous so as not to hamper the recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of Marawi,” said Col. Romeo Brawner, the newly installed 103rd Infantry Brigade commander based in Marawi, Lanao del Sur.

The remnants also surrendered a caliber KG9 sub-machine gun and one caliber .45 pistol.

Custodial debriefing is still on-going.

Major Gen. Roseller Murillo, 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, commended the efforts of the troops that led to the surrender of Abu Dar’s comrades.