Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 11, 2021): 2 Abu Sayyaf Group brothers, 8 others yield in Sulu
April 11, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu- Yesterday, April 10, 2021, two former teen members of Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) and others surrender to military units in Sulu led by MGen William N Gonzales at Brgy Samak, Talipao, Sulu.
A ceremony for the formal local integration of ten ASG surrenderees which was facilitated by 1101st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen Antonio I Bautista Jr was held this Saturday afternoon at their Brigade Headquarters in Talipao, Sulu. BGen Bautista presented the 10 surrenderors to Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen William N Gonzales.
The surrenderors were identified as Mis-al Sabtula under ASG leader Alden Bagadi; Marlon Aksan under subleader Raden Abu; Hasbi Mustamir, under the late ASG sub-leader Apo Mike; Alih Salim, Alwa Aidar, Faisal Amisar, Gager Ganih, Jamil Ganih, Hajul Arip and Musar Sakib Jumbli all under the late ASG leader Mohammad Said. The surrenderors are from the municipality of Indanan except Ganih who is from Patikul.
“They brought with them an M16 rifle, M1 Garand Rifle, Cal .30 and Cal .45 pistols. I commend our 100th Infantry Battalion and 15th Civil Military Operations Battalion for actively reaching out to our brothers who now wants to start anew. This is very timely as we approaching ramadan,” said BGen Bautista.
In an interview, 20-year old Alih Salim and 21-year-old Musar Jumli, who are brothers revealed that they joined ASG around 2016 – when they were still teenagers. “Niyaya kami ng isa naming barkada na sumama sa group ni Amah Maas. Noon, mga 50 ang miyembro ng grupo tapos kami ng kapatid ko yung umaakyat sa bundok para magdala ng nga bigas at kung ano pa na pagkain. Minsan buhat ko isang buong sako, ‘yung kapatid ko minsan may dala pa na kabayo,” Jumli said.
The two were just able to reach 3rd grade as they have lost interest in education especially after their father left for Sabah. With pressure from their peers and the promise of instant cash they ventured to go in and out the hinterlands of Sulu. The friend who recruited them have died with Mohammad Said during a clash with government forces in 2016.
“I am happy to know that these young men are now supporting themselves with their hard earned money in a bakery shop. I told them that there are also oppurtunities in the army which they politely declined as they would like to continue their passion in baking. Their dream is to have their own bakery,” said MGen Gonzales.
“I hope that other members, either they be active ASG or lie-low, would also come forward. Admit they were ones lost and free themselves of fear that they may be reported to government forces or they might be tracked down by their former comrades. We will assure that these former members will be assisted accordingly for they all pledged to actively help deny the ASG from taking refuge at their municipality,” added MGen Gonzales.
[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]
https://www.kalinawnews.com/2-abu-sayyaf-group-brothers-8-others-yield-in-sulu/
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.