2 more Abu Sayyaf members lay down arms

From Rappler (Feb 5): 2 more Abu Sayyaf members lay down arms

Hasib Sarikin Mion and Hamdi Nor Bareo surrender to members of the 74th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Jonas Templo in Barangay Macalang in Basilan

SURRENDERING ARMS. One of the two Abu Sayyaf members relinquishes his M1 Garand to the military. Photo by Richard Falcatan/Rappler

As military troops sustain their offensives and pressure terrorists in the BaSulTa (Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi) area, two more Abu Sayyaf members laid down their arms in Basilan on Sunday, February 4.

Hasib Sarikin Mion and Hamdi Nor Bareo surrendered to members of the 74th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Jonas Templo in Barangay Macalang, Albarka, Basilan at 2:00 pm on February 4.

“Mion is an Abu Sayyaf member under Furuji Indama and Bareo is listed under the AFP’s list as a member of the group of Nurhassan Jamiri,” said Brigadier General Juvymax Uy, the commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan.Mion and Bareo yielded their two US M1 Garand rifles to the troops.


LAYING DOWN ARMS. Hasib Sarikin Mion and Hamdi Nor Bareo. Photo by Richard Falcatan/Rappler

The duo will undergo a custodial debriefing to be facilitated by the troops in Barangay Cabangalan, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

From January 1, 2017 to February 4, 2018, a total of 172 Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to the Joint Task Forces in the area. Of this, 77 yielded to the troops in Basilan, 60 in Sulu, 33 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

“We want to work for peace without the use of arms that is why we are encouraging the rest of the Abu Sayyaf members to surrender because our thrust for internal security in Mindanao is sincere,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).

“Our efforts to end terrorism will not only benefit the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the government but every Mindanaoan who yearns to have a peaceful life,” added Lieutenant General Galvez, Jr.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/195323-abu-sayyaf-members-lay-down-arms