Kalinaw News: Five more ASG members surrender to Gov’t forces

Posted to Kalinaw News (Nov 12, 2021): Five more ASG members surrender to Gov’t forces



November 11, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Yesterday, five more Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members surrendered to the 1102nd Infantry Brigade (1102nd Bde) at Camp Bud Datu, Brgy Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu, demonstrating the effective implementation of the government’s campaign against terrorism in the region.

In the presence of Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen William N Gonzales, 1102nd Bde Commander Col Giovanni T Franza introduced the former bandits as Bensar Majan alias Bunso under sub-leader Alhabsi Misaya, Romil Paraja under sub-leader Ben Tattoo, Yasher Jamalul under sub-leader Sanny Boy Sajirin, Jimrasil Isnaji under sub-leader Ben Wagas and Roger Kahan under sub-leader Apo Mike.

Col Franza also commended the 100th Infantry Battalion led by Ltc Michael Cuenca and Metro Jolo Inter-Agency Task Group for facilitating the surrender of the ASG members, who also turned over one M1 Garand rifle, one M16 rifle, two caliber .45 pistol and two .357 revolver pistol.

In an interview, 29 yrs old Majan shared that he was with the ASG for almost five years. When his group disbanded, he was apprehended by authorities and was jailed for another five years. Majan was released when his mother paid for his bail.

“Sinama lang po ako ng aking panganay na kapatid kayna alias Aburami Askali. Noong panahon na ‘yun hindi ko naman ho naiintindihan na Abu Sayyaf na ang pinapasukan ko. Natakot na ho akong bumaba kaya nung nawala sa si Aburami, sumama naman ho ako kay Alhabsi Misaya. Dahil yung mukha ko po ay nakita sa video nila, nakilala ho ako ng mga pulis at hinuli, limang taon ho akong naghirap sa kulungan,” notes Majan.

“Dahil ho sa tagal kong nakakulong, hiniwalayan ho ako ng asawa ko. Napakasakit ho ng nangyari sa akin, pero nung binayaran ng ina ko ang piyansa ko, nakita kong mapapatawad pa ako ng mga tao at may pag-asa pang mag bagong buhay. Ngayon po tatlong buwan na mula nung nakalaya ako. Buy and sell ho ng bigas ang pinagkaka-abalahan ko ngayon. Pinili ko pong lumitaw at lumapit sa sundalo para po makita nila ang sensiridad ko sa pagbabahong buhay,” Majan added.

To note, the 35th Infantry Battalion also facilitated the surrender of six former ASG rebels who yielded one bushmaster rifle, two M1 Garand and one hand grenade on August 24, 2021.

“Kami sa parte ng gobyerno, pinag-iisipan at trinatrabaho namin ang magkaroon ng kumprehensibong programa para sa mga kagaya niyong nasa laylayan ng lipunan. Umasa kayong kasama kayo sa mapayapa at maunlad na probinsya ng Sulu,” MGen Gonzales addressed the returnees.

“Nandito ako ngayong araw dahil gusto ko kayong batiin. Binabati ko ang inyong pagpili sa tamang landas. Lubos akong nagagalak na kayo ay aktibong gumagalaw, naghahanap-buhay, at nagsusumikap na maging mabuting parte ng mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.

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