Kalinaw News: 17 ASG Bandits return to government forces in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (Feb 5, 2022): 17 ASG Bandits return to government forces in Sulu



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista – Joint Task Force (JTF) – Sulu’s intensified peace campaign results into subsequent surfacing of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members including family members of late sub-leader Abu Talha (expert bomb maker and ISIS liaison to ASG).

Per JTF-Sulu Commander Mgen William N Gonzales, this January, a total of 15 ASG sub-leader and members came forward and formally surrendered their firearms to units under the JTF. The returnees who belonged to various subgroups turned over a total of 12 firearms to include four M1 garand rifle, two M16 rifle, two US cal .30 M1 rifle, an M14 rifle and two cal .45 pistol.

Of these 15 individuals, one was sub-leader Ibrahim Asara who came forward to 4th Marine Brigade in Brgy Kanmindus, Luuk, Sulu. Apparently, Asara participated in the abduction of ABS-CBN newscaster Ces Drilon in Maimbung, Sulu in 2008.

An unnamed sub-leader who is part of local and international kidnapping activities also laid down arms and is now closely monitored by 1101st Ifantry Brigade for his and his comrade’s rehabilitation program through the Provincial Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict.

Meanwhile, 1103rd Infantry Brigade facilitated the return of Talha’s family members on February 3, 2022. They were identified as Jumsa Sari (the former’s father) and Aizal Jumsah (his brother). They are both residents of Brgy Pansul, patikul and they each handed over an M1 garand rifle. Both of them admitted their involvement in several encounters against government forces since 2003 and participated in kidnapping activities in 2015 in Samal Island.

“This was beyond imagination not so long ago. Sabi nila dati kapag Sulu-based ASG, pipiliin pang mamatay kaysa mag-surrender. Pero ngayon, nakikita natin, hindi naman ito surrender na ang ibig-sabihin ay talo ka. Kapag lumapit sa JTF-Sulu , tinatanggap natin bilang kapatid – kaakibat nito ang opurtunidad na makalaya sa maling ideyolohiya, makalaya sa maling gawain, opurunidad para sa isang tahimik na buhay. -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/17-asg-bandits-return-to-government-forces-in-sulu/