An Abu in Basilan surrenders; turn-over a High Powered Firearm

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 18, 2018) - As troops of the Joint Task Forces under Western Mindanao sustain the operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group, another bandit surrenders to the soldiers of the 74th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force Basilan Saturday afternoon, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that Ligoda Tanjal, a regular member of the ASG under Abu Sayyaf Subleader Nurhasan Jamiri @Abu Bekkat and is listed nr. 18 in the AFP’s Periodic Status report, surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Templo, Battalion Commander of the 74IB at Brgy Banah, Tipo-tipo, Basilan at 3pm Saturday (Feb 17). Tanial turned over upon his surrender one M16A1 rifle; one rifle scope; a magazine with ammunition.

“We immediately have Tanial undergo the usual process for surrenderees that includes custodial debriefing and medical check up,” said Brigadier General JuvymaxUy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.

“He said he surrendered because he wanted to have a new life away from banditry and danger. He also said that he was encouraged to lay down arms after learning that his former companions are already undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration program.”

Cpt. Petinglay stresses that Tanial is the 10th Abu Sayyaf to surrender in Basilan Province since the year started. It brings the number of surrenderees to 20 in the different JTFs of WestMinCom for this year alone and 178 since January 2017.

Meanwhile, a soldier made the ultimate sacrifice while on pursuit and rescue operation of a kidnap victim of the Abu Sayyaf Group in Patikul, Sulu last February 15, Cpt. Petinglay added.

Cpt. Petinglay said that the troops under the 45th Infantry Battalion of the Joint Task Force Sulu were pursuing a group who were reportedly carrying a kidnap victim when an encounter occured at Brgy Tugas, Patikul, Sulu at 9:20am Thursday. Heavy exchange of gunfire lasted for 30 minutes with intermittent fires while the enemy were withdrawing.

“We were informed that the group of the Abu Sayyaf who were involved in the recent kidnapping of an Engineer in Jolo, Sulu were in the area, so our troops immediately moved for the possible rescue,” said Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

In his report to Western Mindanao Command, BGen Sobejana said that one soldier died and two others were during the encounter.

“Our soldiers are very eager to get these bandits and rescue the KV, despite the difficulty in the terrain and the situation.”

Cpt Petinglay further said that the two wounded soldiers were evacuated to Zamboanga City later that day and were given immediate medical care. After troops scoured the encounter site, they were able to recover personal belongings of the bandits and heavy bloodstains in the area.

“We also received reports that there were two Abus who died later that day due to their wounds during the encounter,” added BGen Sobejana.

As of this report, soldiers are still on pursuit operation for the fleeing Abus while adjacent units are on blocking position in suspected enemy withdrawal routes.

“Another hero has fallen in the pursuit for peace,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command. “His remains is now being transported to his hometown and will be accorded with the highest honor due for a hero like him.”

“Soldiers under Western Mindanao Command will continue to do their mission to rescue the remaining kidnap victims and disallow these terrorists from continually creating fear among the people.”

 “We will not rest until the last KV be rescued and the last terrorist be neutralized, no matter what it takes,” added LtGen Galvez. “We will also continue to process surrenderees in partnership with other government units for their rehabilitation and reintegration programs.”

The WestMinCom chief also said that he believes that one of the reasons for the continuing surrenders of Abu Sayyaf members in Basilan is the massive implementation in the province of ARMM infrastructure projects.

“The projects implemented in the Province of Basilan in the past five years brought in livelihood opportunities. When people are employed they get busy with income-generating projects and realize it’s better to earn money the legal way rather than engage in banditry and terrorism,” LtGen Galvez said.

The WestMinCom chief further said that he is hopeful that the other Provinces will also implement the same projects so as to motivate more Abus to surrender.

“Although we continue to face challenges almost every day, we are optimistic that together, we will eventually win this in the end.”