9 SAYYAF MEMBERS SURRENDER IN SULU

Nine Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members voluntarily surrendered to the 1102nd Infantry Brigade (1102IB) of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23.

Major Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of the JTF Sulu, said the surrenderers were formally presented to him by 1102IB commander Col. Giovanni Franza.

Franza identified them as alias Vandam, 25 years old, under ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya; alias Raden, 38 years old; alias Asari, 73 years old, under ASG leader Amah Patit; alias Abu Zendal and alias Almasir, under ASG sub-leader Idang Susukan; alias Abdung, 49 years old; alias Jars, 61 years old; alias Jah, 27 years old, under ASG sub-leader Hairulla Asbang; and alias Mursid, 31 years old, under ASG sub-leader Apoh Mike.

In a statement, he expressed his gratitude to the families of the ASG surrenderers who had helped convince the rebels to go back to the folds of the law for a peaceful life.

“This significant event showed your willingness to return to your normal lives and live peacefully with your family and loved ones,” Franza said.

“To those who are still with the terror group (ASG), we, in the government, are here to help you live normally. Take this opportunity to return to the folds of the law, and we will always be here to help you to start anew,” he added.

Asari of Barangay Laum in Maimbung, Sulu, narrated how he entered the group.

“Sobrang hirap ng napagdaanan ko noong pumasok ako. Noong nasa loob ako ng grupo, napagtanto ko na umalis dahil wala ng kaming pagtutunguhan at masasayang lang buhay ko kung ipagpapatuloy ko pa ito (I have suffered so much hardship when I joined the ASG group. When I was already with them, I realized that there is no more future for all of us. Hence, I have decided to leave the group lest I will just sacrifice my life if I will still go on),” he said.

Patrimonio lauded the efforts of all the units under the JTF Sulu.

He assured the ASG surrenderers that the military will do its best to help them get the assistance they need.

Patrimonio said Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, chairman of Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL), had met with the Sulu Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program Committee, and assured that they will help facilitate benefits for the surrenderers under the TFBL program.

Since January of this year, a total of 30 ASG members voluntarily surrendered to the JTF Sulu.