A MEMBER of a crime group has surrendered amid law enforcement operation against them in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, the police reported Friday, November 18, 2022.

Police Colonel Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, identified the crime group member who surrendered as Nadjer Hashim also known as Najir Hashim Hadjiri, 31.

Verceles said Hashim surrendered during an intelligence-driven law enforcement operation around 8 a.m. Thursday, November 17, in Tuburan village, Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Verceles said that Hashim is a member of Anwar Ansang Criminal Gang based in the municipality of Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

He said the group was involved in criminal activities in Dinas and some parts of Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Verceles said the crime group was also involved in the ambush of soldiers from the 53rd Infantry Battalion that resulted in the death of Second Lieutenant Joseph Cartajena and injured three others in Dinas town.

He said they were also involved in kidnapping, drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, contract killing and other form of criminalities.

Hashim took an oath of allegiance in the presence of Sabre Burkin, village chief of Tuburan, Talusan town and was released in good physical condition for further community integration.

Verceles said Hashim is one of the remaining members of the Anwar Ansang Crime Group. (SunStar Zamboanga)