The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested three members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (D-I Maute) in Lanao del Sur on Saturday, August 9.
This follows the encounter of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Army against the D-I Maute, in which three were killed and another three were apprehended. On one hand, Corporal Johnson Francisco Zorca was shot in his left knee.
PNP Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III confirmed on Monday at Camp Crame that some of the terrorists taken into custody were not yet adults. He also said that recruiting minors has become the D-I Maute's modus operandi because when it comes to fighting in the field, police naturally have a different view when they encounter children.
The three fugitives were identified as Abu Zacaria, Al Wala, and Asnawi, while the three casualties were identified as Anwar Rahman, Abdullah, and Nahara which all of whom were wanted persons and listed in the AFP Periodic Status Report 2023. They are also facing a case of murder and homicide.
In the report received by CIDG Director Police Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, it was known that the alleged current Amir (commander) of D-I Maute, Amerol Usman, had escaped.
The PNP also seized the following: M4A1 Colt caliber 5.56mm rifle, A1 rifle, caliber 45, hand grenade, rocket-propelled grenade, 13 Improvised Explosive Devices (I-E-D) blasting caps, two black ISIS flags, and lots of ammunition.
The minor D-I Maute members are now under the custody of the PNP and will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Moreover, the PNP further investigates the D-I Maute and its recruitment of “Child Warriors”.
The PNP has assured that they will continue to hunt down the group, and that there is nothing to worry about the last encounter.
