Abu member yields to troops in Sulu

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 28, 2018) - Another member of the Abu Sayyaf Group, chose to return to the fold of the law and surrender his firearm amid the intensified conduct of combat operations launched by the military and the ameliorating support of the local government in Sulu, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D Petinglay

Disclosed that Jupakkal J. Usman, 50 years of age, a resident of Barangay Lahing-Lahing, Omar, Sulu, and a regular ASG member under the late ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya yielded to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu, composed of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 led by Lieutenant Colonel Cabanlet, Philippine Marines Ready Fleet 2, and the intelligence group in Sulu at 6am Tuesday (February 27). Usman turned-over his M16 rifle with two short magazines and 32 live ammunitions.

“Initially, the subject was brought to the Headquarters of the 21st Marine Company in Sitio Kanawa, Omar, Sulu for medical examination and proper documentation,” said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

Jupakkal Usman is the 66th Abu Sayyaf to surrender in Sulu since last year. He was then brought to the Headquarters of Joint Task Force Sulu for custodial debriefing.

"The continued pressure employed by the troops on the ground, encourages more Abu Sayyaf members to cross the line," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“This feat inspires us to intensify our offensives even more against the remaining fighters,” LtGen Galvez added.

“Western Mindanao Command has accumulated a total of 182 ASG surrenderees since 2017 and continue to increase this year as it sustains the campaign against the terror group particularly in Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi,” he concluded.