'Alleged Islamic State East Asia's Filipino leader surrendered in August'

Abu Turaife and five key followers said to have surrendered on Aug. 6.

Abu Turaife (top) is touted to be the new IS Philippines and Southeast Asia leader. At bottom are former leaders who were slain by Philippine government forces. (Photo: Via TRAC)

MANILA: An emir of a pro-IS Filipino terror group touted to be the leader of the Middle East militant group’s so-called East Asia province surrendered to Philippine authorities on Aug. 6, according to an analyst.

Abu Turaife, the leader of the Turaife faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) terror group, was recently announced in pro-IS media channels as the emir of the so-called IS East Asia wilayat or province, better known as ISEA or ISEAP.