BALO-I, Lanao del Norte (PIA) --A 14-year-old child member of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) operating in Lanao del Sur has surrendered to the folds of the government including his war weapons on Thursday, April 6.

The child identified as alias “Akki” turned over his caliber 45 and caliber 7.62 homemade barret as he pledged allegiance to the government at the headquarters of the Army’s 4th Mechanized Infantry “Kalasag” Battalion.

In an interview, Akki revealed how he was recruited by the local terrorist group (LTG). 

“While I was working in our corn plantation, they (Maute Group) passed by me. They talked to me, they waited for me to join them. I joined them because I was convinced that their group has a good goal, he said in Maranao language.

Akki’s mother shared that her son called him through a two-way radio after six months of his absence. According to her, it has been four months already since he returned to their home. 

“He wants to go back there (Maute Group). We stopped him and asked him whether he wanted to study or get married. He said he wanted to get married and we supported him with that,” Akki’s mother said.

Akki’s mother revealed that her child was supposed to surrender on April 4 but he eventually fled. When his father found him, he convinced him never to run away again. She said that they felt relieved when their son agreed to finally surrender to the folds of the law. 

Meanwhile, Kalasag Battalion commander LtCol. Joseph Marlon Famoso said that they will ensure the security of Akki. He also said that his surrender manifests his trust in the Philippine Army and the government.  

Moreover, the Department of Labor and Employment Lanao del Norte and the local government of Munai through its Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office committed to providing support to Akki and will conduct an assessment of their needs to support them start anew. (LELA/ PIA Lanao del Norte)