Troops pursue pro-ISIS fighters in Lanao Sur

PAGADIAN CITY – Government troops were deployed Friday to the Muslim province of Lanao del Sur following fierce fighting between pro-ISIS militants and soldiers that wounded 3 infantrymen, officials said.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said the fighting erupted in Sultan Dumalondong town where two army battalions - the 55^th and 82^nd Infantries - clashed with a group of militants under Abu Dar, who was one of the leaders that laid siege in Marawi City in 2017.

He said fighting broke out on Thursday after troops tracked down Dar’s group on a remote village in the town.

Antipala said there were reports that an undetermined number of militants were slain in the clash. “There are enemy casualties, but we still do not know how many were dead or wounded from the side of Abu Dar’s group. Pursuit operation is going on,” he said.

Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103^rd Infantry Brigade, also called on the villagers to stay vigilant as troops were tracking down the militants. “We calling on the public not to panic and not to evacuate because we have everything under control,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division, said the clash was the result of the government’s relentless campaign against the militants. “The armed encounter is the result of our relentless campaign against Maute-ISIS remnants and Abu Dar group.”

While the military operation is going on, 2 militants - one of then a teenager - also surrendered to the 49^th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva, in the town of Butig, also in Lanao del Sur.

The duo admitted fighting security forces during the Marawi siege that left hundreds of militants and soldiers dead and wounded. They are currently being interrogated at an undisclosed military base. (Mindanao Examiner)


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3 militants yield in Lanao del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY – Three pro-ISIS fighters have surrendered to the military in southern Philippines where security forces are battling several militant groups seeking to put up a strict caliphate in the troubled region.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said the trio – who fought troops during the Marawi City siege in 2017 – also yielded one anti-tank rocket launcher, a grenade launcher and one M1 rifle and ammunition when they surrendered January 12 to the 82^nd Infantry Battalion in Lanao del Sur’s Piagapo town.

Two of their companions earlier surrendered to the 55^th Infantry Battalion in Pagayawan town.
“Dissatisfied and discontented with the leadership and capabilities of the group is the reason why they’ve surrendered,” Antipala said, quoting Lt. Col. Jumawan, 82^nd Infantry Battalion commander.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, praised soldiers for their efforts in convincing militants to surrender. “Our campaign against terrorists will be relentless and we will take advantage of their weakened leadership and capabilities in order to attain a just and lasting peace in our area of operation,” he said, according to Antipala.

Antipala also released photos of the trio, but all their faces were blurred and cannot be used for news. Their names were not made public. (Mindanao Examiner)


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2 pro-ISIS fighters yield in southern Philippines

PAGADIAN CITY – Two pro-ISIS militants, who were part of the Maute group that laid siege on Marawi City in southern Philippines last year, have surrendered to the military as security officials urged other radical fighters to return to the fold of the law.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said the duo also handed over a sniper rifle and an M1 rifle to the 55^th Infantry Battalion during the December 3 surrender.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, said the continuous surrender of Maute militants entails weakening of their organizational leadership and capabilities.

“We will continuously work together with stakeholders in order to encourage more Maute or pro-ISIS groups to surrender peacefully and return to the fold of the law,” he said.

The deadly siege lasted 5 months with security forces battling hundreds of militants in close combat that displaced over 200,000 people. Hundreds were also killed and wounded in the battle. (Mindanao Examiner)

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NPA rebels continue to yield

PAGADIAN CITY – Communist rebels continue to surrender to the military as it intensifies efforts to convince and bring back insurgents to the fold of the law.

Just recently, about a dozen members of the New People’s Army surrendered to the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Kapai and Tagoloan towns in Lanao del Sur province, according to Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division.

Quoting the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jayson Jumawan, Antipala said the rebels, who belonged to the Semi Legal Team, Guerilla Front 12 of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, handed over a rifle and a pistol during their surrender.

“They are still being interrogated and we welcome their surrender,” Antipala said.

Major General Roseller Murillo, the division commander, lauded the battalion for its effort in “winning hearts and minds” that led to the peaceful surrender of the NPA members.

"Our campaign against communist rebels and other terrorist groups is relentless and will continue to insulate communities from their terror activities. We will also complement our operations with other infantry divisions to isolate and destroy the enemies to attain just and lasting peace in Mindanao,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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8 pro-ISIS militants surrender in Lanao Sur

COTABATO CITY – Eight pro-ISIS militants have surrendered to the military in southern Philippines where security forces are hunting down extremist groups blamed for the spate of terrorism in the troubled region.

Captain Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st infantry Division, said 7 militants, who were fighters of the Maute Group, surrendered Thursday afternoon in the town of Lumbaca Unayan and the other one Butig town in Lanao del Sur, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

He said the militants surrendered to Lt. Col. Ian Noel Ignes, commander of the 55^th Infantry Battalion. “They also surrendered two M16 and one M14 rifles, one UZI sub-machinegun and two .45-caliber and one 9mm pistols,” Antipala said.

The militants are currently being interrogated by soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, said the continuous surrender of Mautes entails weakening of their organizational leadership and capabilities. “We encourage others to lay down their arms and live peacefully. We will continuously work together with stakeholders in order to attract more Maute and pro-ISIS groups to surrender,” he said.

The Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf occupied Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur, last year and declared the city as a province of ISIS, and deadly fighting between them and soldiers lasted 5 months and left the whole city in ruins with residents fleeing to nearby areas to escape the war. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Soldier injured in Misamis clash

PAGADIAN CITY – A government soldier was wounded in a clash Tuesday with communist rebels in the southern Philippine province of Misamis Occidental, an army spokesman said.

Capt. Clint Antipala, of the 1^st Infantry Division, said members of the 14th Division Reconnaissance Company clashed with New People’s Army rebels in the town of Jimenez. The soldiers were pursuing a group of rebels who engaged the 10^th Infantry Battalion on Monday in Panaon town when it ran into the band of insurgents and a firefight ensued.

“One soldier was wounded in the fighting while an undetermined number of NPA are either killed or injured,” Antipala said, adding, troops recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one M16 automatic rifle with grenade launcher and a rifle grenade, including improvised explosives and blasting caps and munitions.

 

Military photos released to the regional newspaper show recovered items from the New People's Army rebels in Misamis Occidental province following a clash Nov. 6, 2018. 

Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division, said the armed encounter could have been prevented only if the NPA rebels surrendered peacefully and take advantage of the government’s amnesty program called “Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program” for them to go back to the mainstream society.

There was no immediate statement from the rebel group which has been fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

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Young pro-ISIS fighter yields

PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army is holding a young pro-ISIS fighter after he surrendered in the province of Lanao del Sur in southern Philippines where security forces are hunting down militants fighting for a caliphate in the troubled region.

 

Military photos released to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner show Asnor with other pro-ISIS fighters.

The 18-year old fighter, whose nom de guerre is Asnor, was actively engaged in battling government troops in Lanao del Sur following his recruitment by the Maute Group when he was 14.

Asnor told army interrogators that he was recruited by militant leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 along with a dozen children to fight for a separate Muslim homeland.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, has confirmed the surrender of Asnor to the 49^th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva in the town of Butig. “Asnor was 14- years old when he was recruited by Maute ISIS leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 together with 12 other minors,” he said, adding, the youngest recruit was only 9 years old.

The fate of the young fighters was still unknown. “Custodial debriefing is still on-going,” Antipala said.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, lauded the surrender of the young militant. “We are glad to hear that Asnor decided to surrender and this is the best chance for him to return to mainstream society and achieve his aspiration,” Murillo said.

The Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf fighters occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur last year in an effort to declare a caliphate, but security forces battled militants numbering about 200 for five months ending the deadly siege. (Mindanao Examiner)


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16 insurgents surrender in Zamboanga province

PAGADIAN CITY – Over a dozen communist insurgents have surrendered in Zamboanga Sibugay province in southern Philippines, the military said Sunday.

It said 16 members of the New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan pledged their allegiance and loyalty to the democratic government following a ceremony held Saturday at the headquarters of the 102^nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Bagnus Gaerlan in the town of Imelda.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said the surrender was facilitated by Mayor Jarvis Acosta, of Siay town; and Lt. Col. Jonathan Obena, commander of the 44^th Infantry Battalion. He said the insurgents also handed over two shotguns and one pistol.

Antipala also released photos of the insurgents, but their faces were all covered to protect their identities.

“Their surrender will minimize the violent incident and atrocities in our area of responsibility and will weaken the mass base support of the communists,” Gaerlan said.

Those who surrendered are expected to receive government aid under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, renewed his call for rebels to surrender peacefully and take advantage of the government amnesty program.

The rebels have been fighting for a separate state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)


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3 pro-ISIS fighters yield in Lanao Sur

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army said it has in custody 3 pro-ISIS militants who surrendered to village officials in the southern province of Lanao del Sur.

Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division, said the trio surrendered on Thursday in Masiu town and were all taken into custody by Lt. Col. Edgar Villanueva, commander of the 49^th Infantry Battalion. He said the militants, who were members of the Maute Group, also yielded an anti-tank rocket launcher and a .45-caliber pistol.

Antipala said villager leaders led by Alonto Gubar, Hamil Gubar and Maliksaif Masjida  helped in the trio’s peaceful surrender. “The custodial debriefing of the trio is still on-going,” he said without identifying the militants, but other sources told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner that one of them is Moamar Mocsir.

Villanueva also said that one of the militants was involved in fierce clashes with troops in Pagayawan town in June this year. “They were recruited during the Marawi Siege last year, however, they were not able to insert in the main battle area due to the relentless security efforts and checkpoints around the lake. One of them was involved in Pagayawan clash last June,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, welcomed the surrender of the militants and praised those who helped in convincing them to return to the fold of law. “We will continuously collaborate with different stakeholders and concerned citizens to encourage other Maute-ISIS remnants to surrender and go back to mainstream society,” he said.

The militant group, along with other pro-ISIS fighters occupied Marawi and battled security forces for 5 months until their leaders and key commanders had been killed, but the military assault – both air and land - destroyed the city and displaced all residents there. (Mindanao Examiner)

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7 pro-ISIS militants surrender in Lanao Sur

PAGADIAN CITY – Seven pro-ISIS militants have surrendered to military and turned over their weapons in southern Philippines, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, of the 1^st Infantry Division, said the militants were members of the Dawlah Islamiya and Maute Group, blamed by authorities for the deadly siege in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province last year.

He said the militants surrendered October 9 to the Joint Task Force Ranao in Lanao del Sur’s Pagayawan town. “The 55th Infantry Battalion, under the Joint Task Force Ranao, spearheaded the surrender of the group along with their firearms,” Antipala said.

The group handed over four rifles and five pistols, according to spokesman, but he did not identify those who surrendered, saying, they were being investigated. “Custodial debriefing of the group is still on-going,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander and task force chief, commended the soldiers for their efforts in the surrender of the militants.

Details of the surrender were not made available by the military. (Mindanao Examiner)

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