ISIS leader Surrenders to Military

Col. Cuepro (center) received surruendered weapon from @Afghan (left)

MARAWI City - Abdullah Lumzed Arumpac @ Afghan who was a sub-leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group led by late Abdullah Maute, voluntarily surrendered to Col Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, Commander, 103Bde, 1ID, PA on the morning of July 14, 2020 at Hqs 103Bde, Kampo Ranao, Marawi City, bringing along with him one (1) Colt Automatic Rifle 15 Caliber 5.56mm M16A1 rifle    with one (1) magazine and 20 rounds live ammunitions.

Afghan was involved in numerous terroristic activities in Lanao del Sur province that include encounters against military troops at Barangay Sandab, Butig sometime on 2015 and in Barangay Ragayan, Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur, sometimes on 2017 where he suffered gunshot wound in his lower right abdomen while three (3) of his members died during the said encounter. Afghan was also involved in the planning of the Marawi Siege which claimed thousands of lives and millions worth of properties. 

 Afghan in a statement said “I realized that the best option for me is to return to the folds of the law and sought the help of the Local Government Unit of Lumbatan led by Mayor Allan Lao”.

 Colonel Cuerpo said "I am grateful that he chose to return to the folds of the law to help in the peace and development in the area. I am hoping that this surrender would encourage other terrorist member to follow. The government is always ready to help former rebels to return to their normal lives".

 An interview with Col. Cuerpo during the press briefing of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) on July 15, 2020, he said that two weeks ago, they conducted military operations in the hinterland areas in the boundaries of Munai, Lanao del Norte, and Madalum and Balindong, Lanao del Sur. He said a heavy firefight with armed Local terrorist group (LTG). Cuerpo said they were able to confiscate the camp of the LTG in the mountainous area and left their war paraphernalia such as subversive documents, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ammunitions and radios. The encounter lasted for 3-4 hours and they found out that it was the main LTG armed group they have encountered in the area. Cuerpo said the military operation still continued as of the moment pursuing the running LTGs.

 Cuerpo said that on the following week, the people of Madalum, Balindong, Marantao and Piagapo in this province together with the Mayors and Barangay chairmen, conducted an indignation rally at barangay Tower part of Balindong in the boundaries of Piagapo and Maratao, to stop violent activities in the province by the local terrorist group (LTG) and showing the burning of the black flag of the LTG.

 Cuerpo finally said, the military and the Local government units (LGUs) of Lanao del Sur will continue to work hand in hand to facilitate the surrender of LTGs in order to achieve genuine peace in the province. (with reports by CMO 103^rd Bde)