Six Abu Sayyaf Group members surrender to Philippine Army
They also turn over six firearms in Sulu province.
SULU: Six Abu Sayyaf terrorists have surrendered in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, the Army said on Wednesday (Jan. 24).
The 11th Infantry Division (11ID), in a statement, identified the six as Leoner Sahiron @ Baby Boy, Saupar Asing @ Abu Tarik, Alsid Jalaidi @ Al, Ridmar Absara Alih @ Alvares, Jamal Arabani Abdusail and Aldi Hasim Minis @ Aldison.
The 1101st Infantry Brigade’s commander, Brig. Gen. Mario D Jacinto, presented them to Joint Task Force Orion and 11ID chief Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio during a ceremony at a military camp in Bud Bayug village in Talipao municipality on Jan. 19.
The former militants also turned over an M1 Garand rifle, one M14 rifle, a Carbine rifle, an M79, an M203 grenade launcher and a .45 pistol.
Their surrender was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of the Air Force’s Tactical Operations Group - Sulu Tawi-Tawi as well as the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion and 11th Military Intelligence Battalion.
Patrimonio said in the statement that the surrendered bandits underwent custodial debriefing to determine if they had comrades still in hiding.
He commended their decision, which he said has a positive impact on their families and communities, and also encouraged them to support the government's plans to end local armed conflicts and other violent activities.
The top army official also emphasised the government's leadership in collaboration with other organisations and local government units in providing initial livelihood assistance and benefits for their jumpstart into mainstream society.
Sulu was an Abu Sayyaf stronghold, where bloody insurgencies and banditry had been taking place for decades and hostages snatched from neighbouring Malaysia’s Sabah state were held while ransom demand was made.
The military and Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict declared Sulu as Abu Sayyaf-free in October last year.