THREE more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have surrendered to military authorities in the province of Sulu, the military reported.
The surrender of the three has brought to 23 the total number of ASG followers who surrendered since January this year.
Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identified the three ASG surrenderers as Hajar Abbang, 38; Kirah Ainazri Jawad, 20; and Sani Jawad, 18.
Sobejana said they surrendered around 9:45 a.m. Sunday to the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu headed by Colonel Armel Tolato.
Sobejana said Abbang was a follower of the late Abu Sayyaf Group Sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya while his two companions were followers of the late sub-leader Abraham Hamid.
He said they turned over three high-powered firearms consisting of M16 Armalite rifle, M79 grenade launcher, and a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle.
The surrenderers were brought to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical checkup and for custodial debriefing.
“It is notable that since our proposal for the ASG Surrenderor Comprehensive Reintegration Program, more ASG members now returns to the folds of the law with firearms,” he said.
“This is a welcome development for us since we want to end our campaign against the ASG peacefully,” he added.
For this year, a total of 23 ASG followers have already surrendered to the units of Western Mindanao Command.
Of the total, 10 surrendered in Basilan; 11 in Sulu; and two in Tawi-Tawi.