5 Maute men surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Five remnants of the Maute group surrendered to the military in Lanao del Sur in the past two days, according to the military.

Two surrendered to the 55th Infantry Battalion (IB) on Friday and three others yesterday, Col. Romeo Brawner, 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said.

Brawner said the militants turned over their guns, including a submachinegun and a caliber .45 pistol, to Lt. Col. Ian Ignes, 55th IB commander.

Brawner quoted the surrenderees as saying that they decided to lay down their arms because they are tired of running away from government troopers.

The remaining Maute men are led by Owayda Benito Marohombsar, alias Abu Dar. He reportedly assumed leadership of the group after the Maute brothers and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon were killed in the fighting in Marawi in 2017.

The military has offered a reward of P3 million for the arrest of Marohombsar, who is said to be a relative of the Mautes.

Marohombsar’s wife, Nafisah Pundog was arrested in General Santos City last year.

Brawner said military operations against the remaining Maute militants would continue.“Our combat operations will be relentless... so as not to hamper the... rehabilitation of Marawi,” he said. – Jaime Laude