Abu yields, hands over firearm in Tawi-Tawi

 A member of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group identified as “A.k.a. Bas,” 31 years old, married, and a resident of Barangay Magsaggaw, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, surrendered to the marine troops in Tawi-Tawi on Monday, February 15, 2021.  (Photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

PAGADIAN CITY (Feb. 18, 2021) - A member of the Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group surrendered to the marine troops in Tawi-Tawi on Monday, February 15, 2021. 

He  was identified as “A.k.a. Bas,” 31 years old, married, and a resident of Barangay Magsaggaw, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi, he handed over his U.S. made Cal. 30 M1 Garand Springfield rifle with one clip and two live ammunition to the troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-12 at the unit headquarters in Barangay Nalil, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi around 2 p.m., the same day,” Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., disclosed.

“This only manifest that our troops continue to gain grounds in the campaign against terrorism in our area of operation,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

MBLT-12 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Henry Espinosa said “Bas” was recruited by the Sulu-based ASG-kidnap for ransom group under the late sub-leader Mihadun Arok sometime in 2007.

“He was involved in the series of kidnapping incidents where he served as a spotter. He also participated in armed confrontations with the marine troops in Patikul, Sulu before he left the group in 2014,” Lt. Col. Espinosa added.

He then laid low in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi due to the neutralization of prominent ASG personalities in Sulu.

Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi Commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas expressed his delight with the former rebel’s decision to come out.

“It is better to work for peace without the use of arms, and, in this light, I encourage other terrorists to lay down their arms and join us in working for a peaceful and progressive Tawi-Tawi,” said Brig. Gen. Rojas.

The surrendered personality is currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the MBLT-12 headquarters. He will subsequently be turned over to the local government unit of Panglima Sugala for his enrolment in the reintegration program of the government.

“Bas” is the 27th ASG member who surrendered since January 1, 2021. He is the 1st to surrender in Tawi-Tawi. (By JONG CADION with reports and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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