Seven members of Dawlah Islamiyah/Maute Group surrender in Lanao del Sur

CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur – Seven members of the Dawlah Islamiya/Maute group surrendered to the military's Joint Task Force Ranao in Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday.

The rebels' surrender was spearheaded by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 55th Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force Ranao.

The Maute group members also yielded three M1 Garand rifles, one Carbine firearm, four caliber .45 handguns and one 9mm pistol.

Custodial debriefing of the group was conducted.

Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces), commended the troops and various stakeholders for their roles in the surrender of the Maute group members.

“Mautes were dwindling with their organizational leadership and capabilities, and we encourage others to lay down their arms to live peacefully,” Murillo said. —Merlyn Manos/KG, GMA News