3 Maute men surrender in Lanao Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Three Maute millitants surrendered in Masiu, Lanao del Sur on Thursday, an official said yesterday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, acting chief of the First Army Division, said the militants, whose identities were withheld for security reasons, surrendered to Lt. Col. Edgar Villanueva of the 49th Infantry Battalion.

Antipala said the surrender was facilitated by Alonto Gubar, Association of Barangay Council president; barangay chairman Hamil Gubar, and Maliksaif Masjida Afgani, deputy base commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Antipala said the surrenderees turned over a rocket propelled grenade, a caliber .45 pistol and various types of ammunition. 

Villanueva said the arrested militants were recruited at the height of the siege in Marawi last year, but were not deployed in the main battle area. 

Villanueva said one of the surrenderees was among those who clashed with soldiers in Pagawayan also in Lanao del Sur last June. 

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commended local leaders, the MILF and soldiers for the surrender of the militants. 

Last week, seven Maute men surrendered in Pagayawan. They turned over three M1 Garand rifles, a carbine, four caliber .45 pistols and a 9 mm.