From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 13): Mautes welcome to surrender: Lorenzana
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has brushed aside insinuations that Maute group members, who will surrender to the government, will still be killed by government forces.
Lorenzana issued the statement on Friday to counter the propaganda of the Maute group warning their remaining members fighting in Marawi City that they will be killed by the government once they surrender.
“No, if you will surrender, you will not be killed,” Lorenzana assured, citing they will be afforded fair trial and the opportunity to be rehabilitated back to the society.
So far, Lorenzana said that three members of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group surrendered two weeks ago.
He said troops are moving around daily with public address system giving instructions on what to do by the Maute group members who wish to surrender.
He said it is useless for the remaining members of the Maute group to continue on fighting.
“If they keep on fighting, then we will finish them,” he emphasized.
He disclosed that the terrorist group leaders namely, Abdullah and Omar Maute, as well as Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon are still inside the main battle area of Marawi City.
But Lorenzana this time begged off to give specific date as to when would the fighting ends in the besieged city of Marawi.
“The crisis will end soon. Malapit na,” Lorenzana assured.
The defense chief arrived here on Friday for the opening of the two-day (not one-day as earlier reported) Regional Ulama Solidarity Summit for Peace and Security.
The objectives of the solidarity summit are to bring together the ulama (religious professionals) in the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) areas to mutually consult and discuss on the pressing issue of violent extremism and terrorism (VET); and, to reach consensus on how to protect the Muslim community in general and determine the ulama role in countering and preventing VET in the locality.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012753
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