Kalinaw News: Local government of Sulu facilitates surrender of 8 ASG members to military

Posted to Kalinaw News (Apr 1, 2022): Local government of Sulu facilitates surrender of 8 ASG members to military



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – March 31, 2022

Municipal Mayor Nebukadnezar Tulawie of Talipao, Sulu, through the Municipal Task Force in Ending Local Armed Conflict (MTF-ELAC) facilitated the voluntary surrender of eight (8) Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members to Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu in a formal hand-over ceremony held at the Municipal Hall of Talipao, Sulu, on March 31, 2022.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Patrimonio identified the ASG surrenderees as @Tuang, 71 years old; @Isbain; @Asuwad; @Siddik; @Wahab; @Tubah, 32 years old; @Jul; and, @Paddih, 28 years old. He said that “in a report from 1101st Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, @Tuang and @Isbain are under ASG Leader Radullan Sahiron, while @Asuwad, @Siddik, @Wahab, @Tubah, @Jul, and @Paddih are all under ASG Sub-Leader Idang Susukan. They brought with them six (6) M1 Garand rifles and a M16 rifle.”

During the formal presentation, Brig. Gen. Boquio articulated that the surrender was made possible through the concerted efforts of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, Municipal Police Station of Talipao, intelligence units, and the local government of Talipao. Brig. Gen. Boquio added that the 8 ASG surrenderees are now undergoing the custodial debriefing at the headquarters of 1101st Infantry Brigade.

During the initial debriefing, @Tubah and @Paddih of Barangay Marsada of Talipao, Sulu narrated that they decided to surrender because of the continuing hardships and starvation they experienced while evading the military operations. “Sobrang hirap po sa loob, gutom at pagod ang dinanas namin kaya kami ay sumuko na” said @Tubah. He further explained, saying, “Sumama po kame sa grupo dahil may nag-anyaya sa amin na may pera hangga’t sa panahon na naisipan na lang po namin na magbagong buhay dahil wala naman pong nangyayari. Gusto ko pang mabuhay at makita pamilya ko.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Patrimonio extended his gratitude and recognized the efforts of the local government of Talipao, Sulu, particularly the families of the ASG surrenderees for convincing them go back to the folds of the law. “On behalf of your security forces, I thank the local government of Talipao, the family members of the ASG surrenderees, and the peace-loving Suluanons for your efforts in convincing the ASG members to surrender,” said Maj. Gen. Patrimonio.

Maj. Gen. Patrimonio urged the peace-loving Suluanons to convince the remaining ASG members to go back to the folds of the law, live their normal lives, and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). “We will be relentless in our efforts to end terrorism in the province of Sulu, and neutralize the remaining ASG bandits who keep on sowing terror in the peaceful communities. We keep on appealing to those who are still with the terrorists group to voluntarily surrender, lay down your firearms, live your normal and peaceful lives, and avail of the E-CLIP. Now is the time for you to start anew,” said Maj. Gen. Patrimonio.

For the first quarter of 2022, a total of 46 ASG members yield their firearms and voluntarily surrendered to the government forces. Moreso, their surrender yielded the recovery of 26 high-powered firearm and 6 low-powered firearms.

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