A 15-year-old member of the terrorist group Daulah Islamiyah has surrendered to the military in Lanao del Sur, the military reported yesterday.
The AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) based in Zamboanga City said the boy turned over his M14 rifle during his surrender.
He surrendered last Saturday to Lt. Col. Angetal Angeles II, commander of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion, at the battalion’s headquarters in Barangay Dilausan, Madalum town.
Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, attributed the surrender to collaboration between military and local government units.
Westmincom spokesman Maj. Andrew Linao said the boy disclosed that he was recruited into the terrorist organization sometime in 2019.
Linao said the boy member figured in a series of clashes with government troops in Madamba, Piagapo, and Munai towns, all in Lanao del Sur, in 2021.
Westmincom commander and Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido condemned DI’s exploitation of a minor as a combatant.
“Rest assured that we will continue to intensify our efforts to protect the youth and the communities from being lured to bear arms and risk their limbs for the vested interest of the terror group,” said Galido.
The DI is one of the terrorist groups operating in Mindanao, blamed for numerous atrocities, including bombings.
