Terrorist supporter surrenders in Lanao Sur

The local terrorist group supporter who surrendered to the 49th Infantry Battalion in Butig, Lanao del Sur at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 28 August 2019. (Westmincom)

A local terrorist group supporter has surrendered in Lanao del Sur while an Army soldier was wounded during an attack by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in Patikul, Sulu on Friday morning.

Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Chief, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana on Friday said Hadji Soaib Ander turned himself in to troops of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion in Butig town and surrendered a US KG9 semi-automatic pistol and two 9mm magazines with 29 rounds of ammunition on Wednesday, 28 August.

Brig. Gen. Romeo Brawner, the commander of the Army’s 103rd Brigade, said Ander was the provider of firearms, ammunitions and food to the group led by Ali Amintao alias White Lawaan whose followers clashed several times with 103rd Brigade troopers in Butig in 2016.

“Hadji Soaib had a son named Hadip who was recruited by the Maute brothers and was unfortunately killed in a firefight on September 23, 2017,” Brawner said.

“We are delighted by his decision to return to the mainstream of society and we will provide the necessary assistance to help him start a new life,” he added.

Brawner said the surrender of Ander was facilitated by the troops of the Charlie Company of the 49IB and the municipal government of Butig led by Mayor Dimnatang Pansar.

Ander is currently undergoing debriefing at the headquarters of 49IB in Camp Darul-iman, Barangay Sandab, Butig.

Meanwhile, Police Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos, the director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao Police, disclosed that members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team and military were conducting route security for the carpooling Department of Education teachers in Sitio Kan Bangsawan, Brgy. Kadday Mampallam, Patikul, when they were harrassed by suspected ASG members at about 7:50 a.m.

Soldiers providing route security at Brgy. Igasan in Patikul immediately responded and went to the area, said Marcos.

Upon arrival at the area, they were fired upon by suspected ASG fighters prompting the troops to fire back.

“No PNP personnel were injured but one army personnel incurred serious injury due to a possible rifle grenade explosion,” said Marcos.

The attackers then fled as military and policemen launched pursuit and clearing operations in the area.