Five more Abus surrender to soldiers in Sulu and Tawi-tawi

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (January 29, 2018) - Five (5) more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group, three (3) from Sulu and two (2) from Tawi-tawi, surrendered to the soldiers of the Joint Task Forces, Sunday (January 28), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the Abu Sayyaf members Kadra Arajun Sawadjaan; Alnajar Arajun Sawadjaan; and Sherul Arad Sahiyul, all with high-powered firearms yielded to the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu of the Joint Task Force Sulu following the surrender of fellow Abus since late last year and early this year. The former bandits were picked-up by soldiers at Brgy Bunot, Indanan, Sulu after earlier arrangements had been made to ensure their safety and security.

In his report to WestMinCom Cmdr, Brigadier General Sobejana said that the Abus also surrendered an M16 rifle; an M79 Grenade Launcher; and a cal .45 pistol upon their surrender.

 “As a procedure, we let them undergo immediate medical treatment at our station hospital in Busbus, Sulu in order to address any medical conditions that needed care,” BGen Sobejana said.

During the debriefing, it was found out that the three were recruited by the late Abu Sayyaf Sub Group leader Alhabsy Misaya. All three were also previously seen in a recovered video showing Abu Sayyaf members marching and in formation in Indanan, Sulu taken sometime in August 2015.

Meanwhile, two more Abus also yielded to the soldiers of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi at 3pm Sunday. Jun Hassan; and Titing Alihassan @Iyot Panday, both residents of Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi voluntarily surrendered to the marines bringing along an M16 rifle; an M1 Garand rifle; and a short magazine for M16 rifle with 22 pcs ammunition for cal 5.56mm.

“We found out that Titing Alihassan @Iyot Panday is number one in our wanted list of Abu Sayyaf members and is included in the DND Arrest Order Nr 3,” said Brigadier General Custudio Parcon, Jr., commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-tawi.

“He was involved in the series of kidnapping incidents in the high seas such as the sea-jacking of Vietnamese flag vessel (M/V GIANG HAI) in 17 Feb 2017,” added BGen Parcon. “Jun Hassan on the other hand, is also among those listed in our watchlist and is in the DND Arrest Order same with Alihassan.”

Based on the initial debriefing conducted, Jun Hassan is the brother of killed KFRG sub leader Butchoy Hassan who was neutralized last March 2017 by elements of JTF Tawi-Tawi in Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi. Subject is one of the financiers of the kidnapping of Taiwanese National Evelyn Chang at Pompom Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia last November 2013.

“We would like to reiterate our call for the remaining Abu Sayyaf members especially those from Sulu Province to surrender the soonest,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“The government in coordination with the Ulama has prepared rehabilitation programs to those who have surrendered and will surrender to ensure that they do not go back to their ill beliefs and practices.”

As of this report, a total of 164 ASG personalities already surrendered in WestMinCom Joint Area of Operations since January 2017. Of the number, there were 72 from Basilan; 57 from Sulu; 33 from Tawi-tawi and two from Zamboanga City.

 “This rehabilitation program will ensure that our returnees will be completely mainstreamed to their respective communities.”

“Once again, we are urging you to surrender before it is too late,” WestMinCom chief concluded.