3 Abus surrender in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to the newly installed Joint Task Force– Basilan (JTF-Basilan) commander in Lamitan City, Saturday, July 7. JTF-Basilan Commander Col. Fernando Reyeg said the three ASG surrendered to the soldiers of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion under Lt. Col. Montano Almodovar at 6 a.m. Saturday. Reyeg said the surrender of the three ASG gunmen were made possible by officials of Akbar town in Basilan province led by Akbar Vice Mayor Ali Sali; municipal councilor Abdul Halik S Yusop; Upper Sinangkapan Barangay Chairman Nuruddin M. Nasirin; and Basilan Provincial Board Member Faisal Salih. The bandits who were all operating under slain ASG sub leader Masud Tanajalin alias Abu Talha. Reyeg identified those who surrendered as Samir Laarin 33, Ramil Mobarak, 33, and Naim Majid, 31, all residents of Upper Sinangkapan, Akbar, Basilan Province. (Nonoy E. Lacson)