Abu Dar, the only remaining leader of the Islamic State in Central Mindanao, has been recruiting orphans of those who died in the campaign against the government during the Marawi City siege three years ago.
Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Army 103rd Brigade, said that based on their intelligence-gathering, Abu Dar has been leading the training of children as young as nine-years-old in a remote area in Lanao del Sur.
“We were able to confirm this after we seized small black shirts when we overran their camp three weeks ago,” said Brawner.
During the operation, at least five fighters of Abu Dar were killed while eight others were wounded. Among those wounded, according to Brawner, was Abu Dar.
Brawner said that Abu Dar is currently on a recruiting spree and using money to lure residents to join him.
The recruitment is in Lanao del Sur, mostly in areas where displaced residents of Marawi are staying.
“He targeting the orphans and relatives who died in the Marawi siege. Sometimes, he is offering money to join him,” said Brawner.
Another proof of recruitment of minors was the surrender of a son of Maute Group founder Omar Maute recently. The Maute son said he started training at nine-years-old.
It was not clear how Abu Dar obtained money to lure his recruits but fighters of Maute Group had ransacked houses and business establishments in Marawi.
Abu Dar and at least 20 of his men who survived the raid in their camp are believed to be holed up in the jungles of Lanao del Sur.
Among those who are with him, according to Brawner, are possibly child warriors.
“He is still in Lanao del Sur. We cannot allow him to just roam around Lanao del Sur,” said Brawner. He said their operation to neutralize Abu Dar is ongoing. (Aaron Recuenco)
