Abu Sub-Leader and 9 Followers Turn-Over High Powered Firearms in Basilan

Western Mindanao Command, ZamboCity

By HIROHITO ‘Jong’ D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 9, 2018) - The Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) sub-leader Bobong Mastul a.k.a Bobong, together with nine of his followers yielded to the 64^th Infantry Battalion at its headquarters in TARBIDC Compound, Barangay Tumahubong in the municipality of Sumisip, Basilan Province Friday morning, military official disclosed.

LTC Getty M. Besana, Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Information Officer said that based on their initial interview, the group were forced to lay-down their arms to the 64^th IB under Lieutenant Colonel Philip Fagel due to hardship as a result of the intensified campaign against lawlessness by the Joint Task Force Basilan. It was also said that they finally decided to re-embrace Islam and ask forgiveness for all their wrongdoings upon hearing the encouragements from the Armed Forces and by President Rodrigo Duterte himself. 

"This was a combined effort of our troops and local government led by Sumisip Municipal Mayor Honorable Gulam "Boy" Hataman," said Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.

Bobong yielded together with his members identified as Atotong Sarahadil a.k.a Atotong, Mudzrie Salahudin Jabbon a.k.a Mudzrie, Sapwan Kapitan Aliman a.k.a Sapwan, Nassir Jaid Tahil a.k.a Bola, Hair Tiglama Kawakibon a.k.a Abbang, Adeh Kawakibon a.k.a Abu Muadz, Rubin Ikih, Aminin Baliyong a.k.a Apik, and Suedin Muril a.k.a Kubing.

They brought with them three (3) M16 rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram sub-machine pistol, a 5.56mm carbine, an M1 Garand rifle, various magazines and ammunitions for the said firearms, and assorted communication equipment, LTC Besana also said.

The surrendered ASG members are still in the custody of the 64^th IB for profiling, custodial debriefing, and proper documentation of the turned-over firearms. They will then be integrated with the "Balik-loob" program of the government, Military Official added.

"We, the team WestMinCom, welcomes all those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law," WesMinCom Commander Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega said.