Maute recruitment has 'significantly slowed down' —military

From GMA News (Oct 24): Maute recruitment has 'significantly slowed down' —military

The military on Wednesday said recruitment by the pro-ISIS Maute terrorist group has "significantly slowed down" after "remnants" of the group turned themselves in to the government.

"Certain conditions indicate that the enemy's recruitment has significantly slowed down following the surrender of Maute-IS remnants," said Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr., spokesperson for Joint Task Force Ranao.

Brawner said continuous military operations in areas where the Maute group operates also contributed to this development.

"According to surrenderers, most of the remnants have been isolated and have lost their will to fight following the series of military operations conducted by the 103rd Brigade in Lanao del Sur," he said.

"Nonetheless, our security forces are postured to thwart possible spoiling attacks to protect our communities," Brawner added.

The Maute group was responsible for last year's attack on Marawi City, which triggered a five-month armed conflict from which the city has yet to recover. The attack also prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire island of Mindanao under martial law.

After almost five months of battle, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, one of the leaders of the Maute group, were killed.
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