A COURIER of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has surrendered, bringing to 29 the total ASG members neutralized since January in the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) area of operations, officials said.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of Westmincom, identified the surrenderer as Jay-ar Amorin alias Abuh Solaiman, 31, a courier of the Basilan-based ASG.

Vinluan said Amorin, who lied low from the group, surrendered and turned over an M-16 Armalite rifle with ammunition to the troops of the 14th Special Forces Company around 10 a.m. Monday, February 22, 2021, in Townsite village, Maluso, Basilan.

Vinluan said Amorin, a resident of Langaray village, Sumisip, Basilan, is a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul.

“We hope that those who are still hiding will make up their mind and come out. We urge them to do so because we truly want lasting peace to emerge here in the beautiful province of Basilan,” said Lieutenant Colonel Alex Ampati, 4th Special Forces Battalion commander.

Ampati said Amorin underwent custodial debriefing at the 4th Special Forces Battalion headquarters in Cabunbata village, Isabela City, the capital of Basilan province.

Amorin is one of the 29 ASG members who were neutralized since January 1, 2021, in the Westmincom area of operations.

Two of the 29 were killed, while the remaining 27 surrendered. (SunStar Zamboanga)