WESTMINCOM: Disgruntled Abu Sayyaf Group members surrender in Sulu

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Oct 31, 2020): Disgruntled Abu Sayyaf Group members surrender in Sulu

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- October 31, 2020

A known ASG/kidnap-for-ransom group member and two others yielded in Sulu on Friday, October 30, Lt. Gen Corleto Vinluan, the WestMinCom Commander said.

Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. said that a.k.a. Dexter who was involved in the kidnapping of Indonesian seafarers submitted himself to the 6th Special Forces Battalion, along with Albasir Salim, a.k.a., Abu Sadad, a group member of late ASG Sub-leader Sibih Pisih and Edwin Panduga Abdulmain, a.k.a. Splakang, a group member of ASG Subleader Ekoh Udjaman.

According to a.k.a. Dexter, he was not aware that the group he was in was set to conduct a kidnapping activity. He felt that he was lied to because he treated his comrades as friends but it turned out that he was just used. He was forced to execute kidnap-for-ransom activities for fear of being killed if he will not do so.

Lt. Col. Rafael Caido, the Acting Commanding Officer of the 6SFBN said that the most recent involvement of a.k.a. Dexter was the abduction of the five Indonesian seafarers fishing in the Malaysian waters on January 16, 2020.

“He was also present during the group’s encounter with the troops of the on 3rd Light Reaction Company, 4th Special Forces Company, and the Navy and Air Force troops in Sulare Island, Parang, Sulu on January 18.

The surrendered personalities were subsequently presented to 1102nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio at the unit’s headquarters in Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan Sulu.

“I would like to commend the troops of the 6th Special Forces Battalion for a job well done. Your humanitarian projects have paid off,” Brig. Gen. Patrimonio said.

The trio handed over one M1 Carbine, one G1 battle rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, and assorted ammunition.

JTF Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales enjoined the remaining members of the ASG to peacefully surrender to authorities.

“The Western Mindanao Command is tightening its security that's why the ASG opted to kidnap outside Philippine borders. On the other hand, all military battalions are focused on neutralizing the ASG and their logistics to include KFR activities. Either members surrender or get killed in the armed engagement. I hope others can also come to their senses and give value to theirs and their families’ life,” he said.

The surrendered personalities are undergoing custodial debriefing at 6SFBn headquarters in Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.

“We welcome the surrender of the ASG members and acknowledge the support of the local government and the people in our efforts to defeat the terrorists,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. said.

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