Surrendered Abu members reach almost two hundred as 6 others yield anew in Sulu

PAGADIAN CITY (Aug 2, 2018) - At around 2:30 this afternoon, two Abu Sayyaf Group members yield to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu, Military Official said.

LTC Gerry M. Besana, WesMinCom spokesperson identified the surrendered ASG members as Alfahad Totong Sahipa, 17 years of age, resident of Barangay Taglibi, Patikul, Sulu and Julpin Sawadjaan Kamdun, 47, resident of Barangay Panglayahan of same municipality, voluntarily surrendered to the troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo at the Headquarters, 32nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bonbon, Patikul, Sulu.

The surrenderors who both worked under ASG sub-leader HajanSawadjaanwere subsequently presented to Brigade Commander Colonel Peter Angelo Ramosatthe Headquarters of the 501st Brigade at Camp Bud Datu, BarangayTagbak, Indanan, Sulu, LTC Besana said.

LTV Besana added that Sahipa and Kamdun, brought along with them one (1) caliber 9MM pistol, one M1 Garand rifle, two magazine, and eleven rounds of ammunition.

The duo are now undergoing custodial debriefing at the H32IB.

Meanwhile, LTC Besana said that around 11am yesterday, Four Abu Sayyaf members submitted themselves to the troops of the Marine Base Landing Team (MBLT) 3 led by Lieutenant Colonel RamilHoldagoat the Headquarters, MBLT3, Barangay Seit, Poblacion, Panamao, Sulu.

LTC Besana identified them as Kareem Sahiya a.k.a Sabirul, Ekiram Asara a.k.a Hatib, Jason Unaw a.k.a Rajad, and Abdulhakim Kahal a.k.a Lakih all under the group of the late ASGL Alhabsi Misaya and all residents of Barangay Masjid Punjungan, Kalingalang Caluang, Sulu

The successful surrender of the four ASG members was facilitated by the troops in coordination with the local officials of Kalingalang Caluang, Sulu and through the efforts of the intel operatives, MNLF Commander Muads H Yacub, and Panamao PNP, LTC Besana also said.

“The surrenderors were brought to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force Sulu for physical and medical check-up and custodial debriefing,” said Brigadier General Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu. They have no firearms and were utilized as coddlers when the late ASGSL Alhabsi Misaya hid in the area of Kalingalang Caluang, Sulu”.

Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega commended the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for their series of accomplishments. “We hope that more Abu Sayyafs will decide to lay down their arms and choose to live a peaceful life”.(By JONG CADION)