Six Abu Sayyaf bandits, who surrendered to military troops this week, said they were lured into joining what terrorist leaders claimed as a religious front in Sulu.
“The former bandits admitted that fear from the military’s intensified combat operations in Sulu and the Abu Sayyaf’s declining support from the civilians have forced them to surrender,” said Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Joint Task Force Sulu Commander.
Military troops presented the surrendered militants and their three Garand rifles to Brig. Gen. Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, 11th Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander.
Five of them yielded on July 24 while another bandit surrendered on July 23 to the 32ndInfantry Battalion in Sulu.
Troops brought the surrendered bandits to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital in Bus-bus, Jolo for medical check-up.
Disillusioned with the Abu Sayyaf’s hierarchy, many militants are now contemplating to lay down their arms, according to the surrendered bandits.
Two of the surrenderors claimed they were lured into joining the terrorist group at ages 11 and 13. They accounted 14 Muslim minors being exploited by the Abu Sayyaf at the time of their escape.
“We condemn the recruitment and exploitation of minors as combatants fighting for an unholy cause. The Abu Sayyaf does not, in any way, represent and inculcate the true teachings of Islam, as people who kill without compunction do not have a religion,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command.
“We further denounce the Abu Sayyaf’s act of using Islam to propagate terrorism. This is a resonating call on deceived bandits to lay down their arms and to rebuild their lives for peace in Mindanao,” he added.
The former bandits will be registered to the government’s assistance program for their reintegration.
Source: PIO Western Mindanao Command
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