PAGADIAN CITY – The Philippine Army is holding a young pro-ISIS fighter after he surrendered in the province of Lanao del Sur in southern Philippines where security forces are hunting down militants fighting for a caliphate in the troubled region.
The 18-year old fighter, whose nom de guerre is Asnor, was actively engaged in battling government troops in Lanao del Sur following his recruitment by the Maute Group when he was 14.
Asnor told army interrogators that he was recruited by militant leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 along with a dozen children to fight for a separate Muslim homeland.
Capt. Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division, has confirmed the surrender of Asnor to the 49th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva in the town of Butig. “Asnor was 14- years old when he was recruited by Maute ISIS leader Abdullah Maute in 2014 together with 12 other minors,” he said, adding, the youngest recruit was only 9 years old.
The fate of the young fighters was still unknown. “Custodial debriefing is still on-going,” Antipala said.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, the division commander, lauded the surrender of the young militant. “We are glad to hear that Asnor decided to surrender and this is the best chance for him to return to mainstream society and achieve his aspiration,” Murillo said.
The Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf fighters occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur last year in an effort to declare a caliphate, but security forces battled militants numbering about 200 for five months ending the deadly siege. (Mindanao Examiner)
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