More ASG bandits lay down arms

From 2017 to date, a total of 344 local terrorists surrendered in Sulu. Of the said number, 217 have already availed of the government’s livelihood assistance while 127 are still awaiting enrolment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program u

The faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) under the notorious Mundi Sawadjaan and Radulan Sahiron was dealt another blow following the voluntary surrender of 11 disgruntled members to security forces in Sulu, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu reported Saturday.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, JTF Sulu commander, apart from the military and police’s unrelenting and intensified operations against terrorists and violent extremists in the southern tip of the country, the bandits were enticed by the social integration benefits being offered by the government and prompted their decision to lay down their arms.

The returnees, whose real names were not released for security reasons, were identified by authorities as alias Alji, 24; Gaspar, 45; Amz, 45; Ardin, 32; Bebs, 25; Madz, 48; Uyong, 34; Bahad, 52; Nayin, 35; Allon, 45; and Asir, 42.

Their surrender was facilitated by the Philippine Army under the Municipal Task Force on Ending Local Armed Conflict (MTF-ELAC) of Patikul, Maimbung, Indanan, Talipao and Pata, Sulu. They also turned over seven assorted high-powered firearms primarily composed of M16 armalite and M1 garand rifles.

“The returnees will be undergoing the Social Integration Program managed by the local government unit and JTF Sulu. They have undertaken their physical and medical examination at Camp Bautista Station Hospital today and will go through profiling process for the next few days prior to the administration of psychosocial interventions,” Gonzales noted.

Government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will be spearheading the livelihood and trainings of the former ASG fighters to prepare them for their reintegration to mainstream society.

From 2017 to date, a total of 344 local terrorists surrendered in Sulu. Of the said number, 217 have already availed of the government’s livelihood assistance while 127 are still awaiting enrolment in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program under the Duterte administration.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PNA Clearing ops Workers clear the road of obstacles near a finished portion of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 project at a major highway in Quezon City to ensure the safe travel of motorists. The construction of the MRT-7 is one of the top priority projects of the government and is expected to be completed in 2022.