By Jong Cadion
ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 25, 2018) - More than a hundred members of
the Abu Sayyaf Group have laid down their arms since operations were sustained
by the Western Mindanao Command last year, military official said.
From January 1 to December 31, 2017, a hundred and forty-four Abu Sayyaf
bandits capitulated as military troops employ more pressure and pound on the
terrorist group in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
“This massive surrender is ascribed to the relentless operations of our
troops on the ground and the robust support of the people of Mindanao, especially
our local chief executives that are now involved in our fight against
decades-long internal aggression on the islands,” said Lieutenant General
Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Last year, seventy (70) Abu Sayyaf bandits yielded to the troops in
Basilan, 53 in Sulu, and 21 in Tawi-Tawi.
This month (January 2018), four Abu Sayyaf members (three in Sulu and
one in Basilan) already surrendered to the Joint Task Forces under the
WestMinCom. Three high-powered firearms of the Abu Sayyaf were also recovered
from January 1-23, 2018. On January 21, 2018, Reymal Abe Majan, 23, Tarun Uhad Ismael
, 63, and Makdar Jikiri, 25, yielded to Captain John Armand Guevarra of the 2nd
Special Forces Battalion, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) in Barangay
Kanaway, Parang, Sulu. Ismael and Jikiri are followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader
Idang Susukan, while Majan is a follower of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Maradjan Hadjiri.
They also surrendered two M1 Garand rifles and an M16 rifle.
“We encourage other Abu Sayyaf members to return to the fold of the law
and join the government troops in working for internal security through
peaceful means,” added Lieutenant General Galvez, Jr.
“The government in coordination with the Ulama has prepared
rehabilitation programs to those who have surrendered to ensure that they do
not go back to their ill beliefs.”
This January 2018, the Western Mindanao Command through its JTF Basilan,
in collaboration with Balay Mindanaw, ARMM, Eisenhower Fellowship Association US
Embassy and Nagdilaab Foundation Inc conducted an "Expository Tour"
under the ASG Returnees Rehabilitation Program (ARRP) for 40 Basilan ASG
returnees.
The activity intends to provide the returnees an avenue for personal,
spiritual, values formation and the opportunity to gain new experiences. The
tour also seeks to provide exposure to the returnees progressive communities
outside Basilan Province; create positive disposition among the returnees
through leisure and other activities; foster cohesion and team spirit; and
reinforce positive and moderate view of Islam.
“This program will set as a pioneering model similar to the NPA
returnees Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP),” said LtGen Galvez.
“All returnees will also undergo the same program to ensure that they
will be fully integrated and mainstreamed as productive members of their
community.”
“With all our partners, we will transform our ASG affected areas from
"terrorism to tourism haven,” WestMinCom chief concluded.
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