Cache keeper surrenders to JTF Sulu

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (March 02, 2018) - Due to the constant pressure by forces of the JTF Sulu, ASG member Ronnie Jamaari, a.k.a Apo Eting, surrenders in Barangay Niangkaan, Omar, in the nearby province of Sulu, Friday (March 2), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that Apo Eting, the keeper of arms cache containing four M16 rifles and four M14 rifles that was previously recovered, yielded with his M1 Garand rifle and a clip loaded with seven bullets. The surrender was made possible through the effort of the Marine Battalion Landing Team - 1 under Lt. Col. Stephen Cabanlet. Apo Eting, 50 years old, is a resident of SitioLangrad, Barangay TanduhPatong, Maimbung, Sulu. He was formerly under the late ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya.

Brigadier General Cirilito E. Sobejana, the JTF Sulu Commander, lauded the accomplishment of the MBLT-1 and urged other units to continuously pressure the remaining ASG members for them to just surrender and avail of the comprehensive reintegration program.

“We want to end this campaign peacefully and give our misled brothers a second chance that is why we are proposing for their reintegration. This is another manifestation that your military here in Sulu is really after of the welfare of every Tausug,” he said.

From January 1 to March 2, 2018, the Joint Task Forces recovered a total of 374 loose firearms, 192 of which were surrendered in Zamboanga, 52 in Sulu, 30 in ZamPeLan, and 100 in Central, Cpt Petinglay added.

“We call on the Suluanons to support our thrust against terrorism and proliferation of loose firearms to pave the way for security and development not only in Sulu but in the whole Mindanao,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“Peace can only be achieved with harmony and shared responsibility.”