SIX Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members have surrendered to authorities due to pressures of continuous military offensive in Sulu, officials said Tuesday, November 20.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the group surrendered around 8 a.m. Monday to the 2nd Special Forces Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Montoya in Talipao, Sulu.
Besana identified them as follows: Annuar Sumlahani Dalawis alias Urban; Arsi Kalam Akili; Nassal Asaral; Alvarez Sadjan alias Tundok; Aysal Ajaral alais Taki; and Medzmar Mursin alias Choy.
He said Dalawis was a member of the group under ASG sub-leader Sibih Pisih while Akili was with senior ASG leader Radullan Sahiron.
Besana said Asaral, Sadjan, and Ajaral, were under ASG sub-leader Apo Mike and Mursin was a follower of ASG sub-leader Raden Abu.
The Westmincom officer said the surrenderers turned over six high-powered firearms consisting of one M16A1 “Baby Armalite” rifle and five US Caliber .30 M1 Garand rifles.
He said they were placed under custodial debriefing and documentation at the headquarters of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Talipao, Sulu.
Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, has commended the troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under the Joint Task Force Sulu led by Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo for the recent accomplishment.
“Carry on with your good work,” Dela Vega told the troops.
“We hope that more bandits will decide to surrender instead of risking their lives and engaging themselves in deadly encounters,” he added.
The group surrendered two days after five soldiers and 24 others, including a junior officer, were wounded in a clash between the troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits in Sulu.
The clash ensued Friday afternoon in Liang villae, Patikul, while the troops were conducting operations in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages.
The Westmincom claimed that 10 Abu Sayyaf bandits were also killed during the clash that lasted for about one hour and 30 minutes.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives six people including two foreigners--one Vietnamese and one Dutch--and four Filipinos. (SunStar Philippines)