11 Abu bandits surrender

SUMISIP – Eleven Abu Sayyaf bandits, including a relative of Furuji Indama, surrendered yesterday.

Moto Indama, 26, and his companions turned over their high-powered firearms to Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz, Western Mindanao Command chief, and Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Saliman.

The firearms include machine guns, rifles, a shotgun, three .45 caliber pistols, a caliber .38 revolver and ammunition.

The other surrenderees were identified as Marham Musana, 18; Sadjara Hadjaraman, 23; Halid Murasimin, 20; Gulam Hajim, 19; Haraward Sahirulla, 20; Basri Laisun, 35; Nasim Baliyung, 21, and three boys aged 17, 15 and 12.

The group was involved in a series of firefights with the military in Barangay Baguindan in August.

Indama said they surrendered because they are tired of hiding and fighting.

“We want to go back to our peaceful and normal lives,” he said.

Sumisip Mayor Gulam Boy Hataman said the bandits had sent feelers for their surrender.

‘One happy moment’

De la Cruz said the surrender of the bandits was “one happy moment.”

“Even President Duterte who visited here recently said we can’t be killing each other every day,” he said.

He said the government is waiting for more Abu Sayyaf gunmen who sent surrender feelers.

Twenty- one other Abu Sayyaf members surrendered last month.

Saliman said the provincial government with the support of officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao would provide scholarships to surrenderees who want to continue their studies.

“We are aware of the possible reprisal and we are ready to protect those who surrendered,” he added.