Three Abu Sayyaf members surrender in Mindanao

They also turn over two 9mm-calibre pistols and one carbine rifle.

The Abu Sayyaf returnees receive cash and rice assistance from the military and local government. (11ID pic)

SULU: Three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members surrendered to the Philippine Army in the southern island province of Sulu on Tuesday. 

The Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu, through the 1101st Infantry Brigade, in collaboration with the Talipao Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict, facilitated the trio's surrender in Kagay village, Talipao municipality.

Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, Commander of the 1101st Brigade, in a statement, identified the three as Rizal A. Kari under ASG leader Basaron Arok; Edimar S. Lakibul under ASG leader Mujib Susukan; and Alhallil A. Abdulla under ASG leader Abbu Sabaya.

The three former extremists also turned over two 9mm-calibre pistols and one carbine rifle. 

The ASG returnees were presented to Hji Abejar I. Sahimarri, Municipal Administrator of Talipao and Maj. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Commander of JTF Sulu and 11th Infantry Division (11ID).

The ASG returnees also received cash and rice assistance from the military and local government unit of Talipao. 

A total of 62 ASG members yielded to government forces while 36 firearms were recovered in the first quarter of this year, said 11ID in the statement.