FOUR Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered to military authorities to live a peaceful life in the province of Sulu, the military reported.
They surrendered Friday, August 13, 2021, at the headquarters of the 1101st Infantry Brigade in Samak village, Talipao, Sulu, through the efforts of the 2nd Special Forces, 100th Infantry and 11th Military Intelligence Battalions.
Brigadier General Antonio Bautista, Jr., 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, identified the Abu Sayyaf surrenders as Aharam Dajam, Asbi Abraham, Saibi Sawabi, and Alkaab Baki.
They turned over two Garand rifles, an M-16 Armalite rifle and one caliber .357 magnum revolver.
Major General William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, personally welcomed four Abu Sayyaf surrenderers.
Gonzales told Dajam, who is from Kabbon Takas village, Patikul, that their place is now well-developed and that there is a government program in place for Abu Sayyaf surrenderers.
Gonzales also took interest in Baki who, like his grandfather, was forced to join Abu Sayyaf because of "rido" or clan war. Baki’s grandfather was Abu Sayyaf mid-level leader Sibih Pisih.
Baki said their dispute against another family, who was not identified in the military report, started in 2014 when his brother quarreled over a basketball game that ended in a challenge for a firefight.
Baki said they joined the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) for protection and to have allies in the clan war that lasted for years and resulted in the death of more than 20 followers of their enemy.
“Some of our family members were also killed while 40 houses were destroyed that why we left our place,” he disclosed.
“We also have relatives who died when they joined the ASG,” he added.
Pisih, Baki’s grandfather, was killed in a clash with military troops in 2019. His death forced other Abu Sayyaf bandits related to him to surrender to government authorities.
Lieutenant Colonel Jooney Jay Busiños, 2nd Special Forces Battalion commander, said they will continue to assists Baki and his family.
“We're working on settling this long-standing conflict so that they could return to their land. If all goes as planned, both parties will be able to live without having to worry for their safety,” Busiños said. (SunStar Zamboanga)