ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A member of the Maute group and five supporters of the Islamic State-inspired militant group surrendered to the 49th Infantry Battalion in Lumba Bayabao, Lanao del Sur yesterday.
Capt. Clint Antipala, public affairs officer of the First Infantry Division, identified the surrenderees as Pacalinog Bantogaranao, Monib Padati, Batalo Hajicaya, Tokiin Cuaro and Micky and Mobarak, both surnamed Hajicaya.
The military said Bantogaranao escaped at the height of fighting with Maute militants in Marawi in 2017 after the leader of his group Madie Maute was killed by government troopers.
The surrenderees are undergoing tactical debriefing.
Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, acting commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said municipal government officials facilitated the surrender.
Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Joint Task Force Zampelan commander, said government troopers would continue their operations against remnants of the Maute group.