2 Abu Sayyaf ‘bandits’ surrender in Sulu

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28, 2019): 2 Abu Sayyaf ‘bandits’ surrender in Sulu

Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits surrendered amid the intensified military offensives in the Sulu towns of Panamao and Patikul, officials said Thursday.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, identified the ASG surrenderers as Jum-Amri Sali alias Pujong, 27, and a certain Abu Sibih.

Sali surrendered Tuesday to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3) in Barangay Seit, Panamao, while Sibih yielded to the Army's 21st Infantry Battalion in Barangay Danag, Patikul.

Besana said Sali, a follower of ASG one-armed leader Radulan Sahiron, turned over a Garand rifle. Sali is the son of former ASG member Basari Sali, who surrendered on February 10 in Sulu, he added.

Sibih, a follower of ASG sub-leader Idang Suskan, turned himself in following the sustained focused military operations in the province, Besana said.

Sibih turned over a Garand rifle with several rounds of ammunition.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said they welcome the ASG surrenderers and vowed that “they will be provided with all sorts of assistance for them to be able to start a new life.”

Dela Vega said the Westmincom through all of its Joint Task Forces will sustain the intensified military and intelligence operations to eliminate the remaining threats in the region.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063215