Surrendered Abu Sayyaf members reach almost a hundred as 11 others yield anew in Western Mindanao

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (June 23, 2017) - Eleven (11) more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, including a sub-leader, chose to return to the fold of the law and surrender their firearms amid the intensified conduct of combat operations launched by the military and the ameliorating support of the local government in Basilan at 10am Wednesday (June 21), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that Ibrahim Malat Sulayman, a sub-leader and native of Macalang, Albarka, and 10 more Abu Sayyaf members yielded to the troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan, composed of the 68th Infantry Battalion and the 74th Infantry Battalion, in a surrender rite held at the Sumisip Municipal Hall Complex in Barangay Buli-Buli, Sumisip, in the nearby province of Basilan.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the Abu Sayyaf members were identified as Salimbawa Ahlil Tanjal, a.k.a. Salim Toong Masud, Salasni Ambing Mahawan, a.k.a. Ado Emmong, Ahmad Abbi, a.k.a. Bolkia, all listed under Nurhassan Jamiri; Mar-ie Cabulut Indama, listed under Furuji Indama; Muhammad Kalung-Hassan, Salman Hawkasa; Husael Fernandez; Roy Mendoza Cabiangan; Ebtor Asano; and Madja Palinta.

Turned over by the hard-core ASG members were seven (7) high-powered and four low-powered firearms with magazines and ammunition, she added.

"With the continuing pressure employed by the troops on the ground, we are confident that more Abu Sayyaf members will be compelled to cross the line. This feat will convince us even more to intensify our offensives against the remaining fighters," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Sulayman and 10 of the surrendered members were turned over to the Sumisip local for further disposition.

“We further recognize the assistance extended by the local government of Basilan to support the all-out military campaign of the Joint Task Force Basilan under Colonel JuvymaxUy,” added the WestMinCom Commander.

Since January 1, 2017, a total of 96 Abu Sayyaf members yielded to the Joint Task Forces of Western Mindanao, 54 of whom surrendered in Basilan, 19 in Sulu, 21 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

"This is, by far, a breakthrough having so much surrendered hard-core ASG members in just a short span of time. We will continue to put pressure until the last bandit will be taken down," added LtGen Galvez.