Young violent extremist leaves terrorist group

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 25, 2020): Young violent extremist leaves terrorist group (By 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

KAMPO RANAO, Marawi City, Sep. 25 - A member of the local terrorist of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) returned to the folds of the law through the joint efforts of the 103rd Infantry Brigade and Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.

Alias Ibno Khalid, 17 years old, also turned over one (1) M16A1 rifle to Colonel Jose Maria R Cuerpo II, 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade Commander.

He underwent the usual procedure of custodial debriefing and processing of papers for his reintegration into mainstream society.

"Pagod na ko sa kakatago sa mga kabundukan, gusto ko ng mag-aral," he said.

Alias Ibno Khalid was involved in a series of encounters in Barangay Pagalongan, Sultan Dumalondong, Barangay Calludan, Pagayawan, and Barangay Dinaigan, Tubaran, all in Lanao del Sur in 2019.

He lied-low after the encounter in Tubaran where the late DI-MG "EMIR" Owayda Benito Marohombsar was killed.

Meanwhile, Col. Cuerpo emphasized the commitment of the army in its continuing efforts to provide security in the province.

"With the strengthened focused-military operations, your Army here in Lanao del Sur will continue to pursue these local terrorist groups to prevent them from sowing atrocities in the communities. We have to save our youth from getting involved in extremist adventurism and give them a chance to have a better future with their families. I am appealing to the Maranao communities to be more vigilant, cooperative, support, and help in the fight against violent extremism that only caused death and misery to our fellow Filipinos as clearly experienced in the 2017 Marawi Siege," Cuerpo said. (103rd Bde)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054288