6 IS-linked men yield to PH Army in Lanao Sur

ILIGAN CITYm –– Six members of the local branch of Dawlah Islamiya or Islamic State surrendered to the Army Monday, October 7, in Lumba Bayabao town in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo, commander of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, identified the surrenderers as Pacalinog Bantogaranao, alias Paca, 32; Monib Padati, alias Monib; Batalo Hajicaya, alias Talo; Tokiin Cuaro; Micky Hajicaya; and Mobarak Hajicaya.

All are residents of Barangay Lumbac Bacayawan in Lumba-bayabao.

Cuerpo said the six militants were under the group of the late Mahdie Maute, one of the Maute brothers who led the Marawi siege in 2017.

Madie was killed during the siege.

“Madie’s group was involved in the burning of the two Simba armored vehicles during the first week of the siege,” Cuerpo said.

Lumba-Bayabao Mayor Mahar Dagalangit and Barangay Lumbac Bacayawan chief Hasanor Dimapuro facilitated the surrender of the six men who also yielded various firearms and ammunition, among which are caliber 5.56 M16A1 -Elisco Rifle, caliber 9mm KG9 submachine gun, 55 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, five rounds of caliber 9mm ammunition, five short magazines for M16 rifle, an extended magazine for M16 rifle, and a magazine for KG9 submachine gun.

The surrendered war materiel was turned over to the 49th Infantry Battalion for safekeeping and proper disposition. /lzb