A follower of the late Isnilon Hapilon, the emir of all Islamic State forces in the Philippines, has surrendered to military authorities in Basilan province, a top military official said Thursday.
Ismael Ladjatua, 50, who carries the aliases Abu Maing and Abu Macca, surrendered Tuesday to Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander and concurrent head of Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan.
Ladjatua, of Barangay Townsite, Maluso, Basilan, surrendered due to the government’s intensified campaign against terrorism and lawless elements in the province, according to Gobway.
He said Ladjatua also realized that senseless violence is not the solution to rise from poverty.
“He was already exhausted of hiding from the government forces making his life difficult,” Gobway said.
Ladjatua turned over a Carbine rifle with ammunition when he surrendered.
Gobway expressed his gratitude to Ladjatua for trusting the JTF-Basilan as he starts a new life with his family toward a brighter future.
Ladjatua is one of the followers of Hapilon, a Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group leader, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria.
Hapilon was killed on Oct. 16, 2017 at the height of the Marawi siege.
Source: Philippines News Agency
