Abu Sayyaf member surrenders in Basilan

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 20): Abu Sayyaf member surrenders in Basilan

A member of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has surrendered to the military in the island province of Basilan, the Western Mindanao Command ( Westmincom) announced on Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, identified the Abu Sayyaf surrenderee as Nasser Sagap alias Sinbad, 20, a resident of Barangay Limbu Upas, Tipo-Tipo.

Galvez said Sagap is known to be under the group of ASG leader Furuji Indama.

Galvez said Sagap surrendered to the troops of the 18th Infantry Battalion under the Joint Task Force Basilan at around 2 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Bohe Pahu, Ungkaya Pukan.

He said Sagap turned over a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle with one clip and four rounds of ammunition.

“This only manifests that our troops are already gaining grounds with the combat operations launched by the units and the growing support of the local government and the people in Basilan. The Abu Sayyaf bandits are now compelled to leave their bailiwicks as we work closely with the local government and our partners to turn the strongholds of the Abu Sayyaf into peaceful communities,” Galvez said.

“We want to work for peace without the use of arms and prevent bloodshed and in this light, we are encouraging other Abu Sayyaf bandits, as Filipinos, to lay down their arms and join the government in working for a peaceful and progressive Mindanao,” he added.

Last week, 11 Abu Sayyaf members from the southernmost province of Tawi- Tawi also surrendered to the military. A rehabilitation program is being prepared for them.

Seventeen Abu Sayyaf bandits have surrendered to the government since January.

Galvez said the ageing and most senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf, Radullan Sahiron, has also sent surrender feelers to the military.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=981253