Kalinaw News: Nine ASG bandits surrender in Sulu

Posted to the Kalinaw News Website (Jul 5, 2021): Nine ASG bandits surrender in Sulu

July 05, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu – Nine Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members formally yield during a localized integration ceremony held last Saturday afternoon at 1101st Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Brgy Samak, Talipao.

On July 3, 2021, 11th Infantry Division Commander Major General William N Gonzales personally accepted the former bandits identified as Abraham Cuevas and Adjinulla Andang Hasan both under Alhabsy Misaya; Rojin Marjin under Almujer Yadah; Masckur A Patarasa under Kadapi Janjalani; Aldasir D Abdul under Aldin Bagadi; Alnajir D Bakil under Apoh Mike; Saldi H Abellul under alias Saraga; Nurjimar Baddiri Mukim and Asakil Hadjinulla both under Raddulan Sahiron. They handed in two M16 rifles, two garand rifles, and a Cal .38 pistol.

Hadjirulla is a 32 year-old deaf-mute. Per his childhood friend, this was caused when the former was struck by lightning. “Yung kalabaw nila namatay noong nangyari yun, ito naman si Mukim nabingi. Sayang kasi marunong naman ito siya, pati magbasa at magsulat. Tapos ayun na, tumigil mag-aral, naimpluwensyahan ng mga ibang kabataan at nahilig sa baril. Nagtuloy-tuloy na hanggang sa kasama na siya sa grupo ni Sahiron.”

Hadjirulla joined the group when he was still a teenager. Accordingly, he has a very accurate aim which was also utilized by the group of Sahiron as a guide or as an advanced party. He was a fighter for more than ten years until he went to Sabah to lie low.

In an interview, 2nd Special Forces Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jooney Jay Businos said that Hadjirulla willingly returned to Sulu after ASG sub-leader Sansibar Bensio’s arrest in Sabah. “Maliban doon sa natakot na siya manatili sa Sabah, nagkataon din na ‘yung Brgy Bud Bunga ay na rehabilitate na, nakabalik na yung mga internally displaced doon sa lugar nila. Kasama doon yung parents niya.”“Sa tulong ni barangay kapitan, naiparating namin kay Mukim na kapag siya ay bumalik sa Bud Bunga, hindi na siya mababalikan doon ng Abu Sayyaf. May detachment na tayo doon. Ang tatay nga ni Mukim nag-BPAT pa nga,” he added.

Per 1101st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Antonio Bautista Jr, the role of the local chief executives is fundamental in peace building. “They are trusted by the community. Definitely, they have a say and a role to play in ensuring security within their respective jurisdiction. In the Talipao municipally, members of ASG were already declared as persona non grata. Local chiefs have also developed a sense of responsibility. They assist these surrenderees in their reintegration to the barangay.”

Meanwhile, Major General Gonzales emphasized that long-term rehabilitation and livelihood programs are now being streamlined. “We are partnering with the provincial local government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and the Joint Normalization Committee (JNC). Such programs are not only intended for the surrender but for also those who are vulnerable to being involved in the conflict.”

“For the longest time, a firearm was a status symbol here in Sulu. It became almost like a necessity. If you own one, you have a fighting chance against other armed groups. This has to change since our internal security here in the province has hugely improved. ‘Instead of buying guns, why not use the money in small-scale business?’ That was the idea we work hard to pitch to the public when we roll out Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) program. They will get livelihood packages in exchange for handing in firearms,” he added.

On the same day, military officials led by Major General Gonzales met with representatives from the OPAPP and JNC. As part of the group’s peace efforts. In line with the government’s ongoing peace efforts in the region, they also visited Brgy Kabbon Takas of Patikul to monitor the implementation of the Balik Barangay Program.

[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/nine-asg-bandits-surrender-in-sulu/