Twenty members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered and
turned over eight high-powered firearms to the government on Thursday in
Basilan province, a military official announced.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom)
spokesperson, said the surrenderers are led by ASG sub-leader Katatong Balaman
alias Tatong.
Tan said the group of Balaman surrendered to Col. Thomas
Donato Jr., Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, and Mayor Gulam Hataman of
Sumisip, Basilan.
The Sumisip-based Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion facilitated
the surrender of Balaman’s group in a ceremony held at the town hall of Sumisip
Tan said the group of Balaman also turned over two
locally-made shotguns aside from the eight high-powered firearms.
Donato said the group of Tatong is responsible for several
ambuscades and skirmishes against the government troops, particularly in
Barangays Sukaten and Baiwas in the municipality
of Sumisip
“This is the result of the relentless operation we are
conducting where they suffered lots of casualties. These Abu Sayyafs now fear
for their lives, leading to the surrender,” Donato said.
The government troops have overran in August the Abu Sayyaf
stronghold in Barangay Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo.
On Sunday, ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman led the conduct of
medical and dental outreach mission dubbed as “Peoples Day in Barangay
Baguindan.
Thousands of residents benefited from the outreach mission.
The ARMM also distributed relief packs to the residents in the area.
“We are very open to surrenderees. We want to end this war
in peace and pave the way for development in Basilan,” Donato added.
Hataman said they believed there are still other ASG members
who are willing to surrender and return to the fold of law.
“It’s time to end this terrorist problem in our country. We
want to make Basilan a peaceful place to live so that development will prosper.
We are closely working with the AFP to decimate all these terrorist groups,”
Hataman said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=925371
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