Kalinaw News: 9 ASG members lay down arms in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (Mar 24, 2022): 9 ASG members lay down arms in Sulu



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu – March 24, 2022

Nine Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members voluntarily surrendered to the 1102nd Infantry Brigade of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu in Barangay Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu, in the afternoon of March 23, 2022.

According to Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of the JTF Sulu, he said that “the 9 ASG personalities were formally presented to me in a short program by 1102nd Brigade Commander Col. Giovanni Franza, and they were identified as a.k.a. Vandam 25 years old under ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya; a.k.a. Raden, 38 years old; a.k.a. Asari, 73 years old under ASG leader Amah Patit; a.k.a. Abu Zendal and a.k.a. Almasir under ASG Sub-leader Idang Susukan; a.k.a. Abdung, 49 years old under ASG Sub-leader a.k.a Jars, 61 years old; a.k.a. Jah 27 years old under ASG Sub-leader Hairulla Asbang; and, a.k.a. Mursid, 31 years old under ASG Sub-leader Apoh Mike.”

In a statement, Col. Franza expressed his gratitude to the families of the ASG surrenderees for going back to the folds of the law and chose a peaceful lives. “This significant event showed your willingness to return to your normal lives and live peacefully with your family and loved ones,” said Col Franza.

Col Franza further appeals, saying, “to those who are still with the terror group, we, in the government, are here to help you live normally. Take this opportunity to return to the folds of the law, and we will always here to help you to start anew.”

In an interview with a.k.a. Asari of Barangay Laum in Maimbung, Sulu, he shared how he entered the group. “Sobrang hirap ng napagdaanan ko noong pumasok ako. Noong nasa loob ako ng grupo napagtanto ko na umalis dahil wala ng kaming pagtutunguhan at masasayang lang buhay ko kung ipagpapatuloy ko pa ito,” he said.

A.k.a. Asari furthered that “matanda na ako at may mga anak. Gusto ko pang mabuhay at makita mga anak ko na makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Patrimonio lauded the continuous efforts of all the units under the JTF Sulu. He assured the ASG surrenderees that the military will do its best to help them get the assistance they needed.

“We, in coordination with the province of Sulu and other partner agencies, have been coordinating for the programs and interventions that could benefit the former members of the ASG. In fact, yesterday, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, Chairman of Task Force Balik-Loob, had a meeting with the Sulu Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Committee and assured that they will help facilitate your benefits under the Task Force Balik-Loob program,” Maj. Gen. Patrimonio said.

“Your security forces, together with the assistance of the local government units and partner stakeholders, will continue our endeavor towards achieving lasting peace, security, and development in the province of Sulu” Maj. Gen. Patrimonio added.

Since January of this year, a total of 30 ASG members voluntarily surrendered to the JTF Sulu and chose to live peaceful lives.

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