Eight more ASG surrender to Joint Task Forces in Western Mindanao

By JONG D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (July 21, 2018) - The sustained combat operations of the Joint Task Forces compelled eight more members of the Abu Sayyaf Group to lay down their arms within a span of three days as efforts are being exhausted by the troops to contain local terrorists in Western Mindanao, WesMinCom Official said.

        LTC Gerry M. Besana, WesMinCom spokesperson disclosed that a total of seven ASG members submitted themselves to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu under Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo last Monday (July 16).

        LTC Besana said, troops from the Marine Base Landing Team 3 led by Lieutenant Colonel RamilHolgado together with Police Senior Superintendent Pablo Labra of the Sulu Provincial Police Office, in coordination with the local populace headed by former Chairwoman Rowena Ammar, and with the relentless effort of the Intel operatives, successfully facilitated the surrender of Hamsani Salamuddin a.k.a Hatib Hamsani and Hatib Ambri Awalon a.k.a Ratag Badjang, both married and residents of Sitio Badyang, Barangay Gata-Gata, Panglima Estino Sulu, and Asali Laadja a.k.a Asali, married and resident of Barangay Danag, Patikul, Sulu at around 10am of July 16 in Barangay Tiptipon, Panglima Estino.

        This was followed by another 4 surrenderors who submitted themselves to the troops of the 101st Brigade led by Colonel Francisco Ariel Felicidario through the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Amadeo Cruz, commanding officer of the 35th Infantry Battalion; Captain Niwane of the 5th Special Forces Company and Barangay Captain Jing Hayudini of Anuling, Patikul, Sulu around 12noon of the same day at the Headquarters, 101st Brigade in Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu, LTC Besana added.

        LTC Besana also said that Nurham Lang kahan, 23 years old; Faisal Langkahan, 18; Rashdy Alih, 20; and Kaisir Alih, 16 turned over one caliber 38 pistol, one carbine, and two Garand rifles.

        Additionally, another Abu Sayyaf member yielded to the troops of the Fourth Special Forces Battalion under the Joint Task Force Basilan led by Colonel Fernando Reyegthrough the efforts of the different stakeholders at 8am yesterday (July 18), Besana said.

        Mubin Kullim submitted himself to the troops at the Headquarters of the 4SFBn in Barangay Cabunbata, Isabela City, Basilan bringing along with him an M16A1 rifle and long magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition, WesMinCom Official added.

       

        All surrenderors underwent medical examination and custodial debriefing.

        “I would like to express my appreciation to the assistance extended by the local government and the locals of Sulu and Basilan to support the all-out military campaign against terrorism,” LtGen Arnel Dela Vega said.

                                       

        From January 1, 2018 to date, there are a total of 135 Abu Sayyaf members who surrendered to the troops, 65 of whom were from Sulu, 63 from Basilan, 5 from Tawi-Tawi, and two from Zamboanga City.

        "The record breaking achievements of our Joint Task Forces inspire us to strive more in imposing pressure until the last bandit will be taken down,” he added.