WESTMINCOM: Abus surrender, turn over high-powered firearms in Basilan

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jul 17, 2022): Abus surrender, turn over high-powered firearms in Basilan

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – July 17, 2022

As troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan sustain the operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group, four bandits surrendered to the soldiers of the 18th Infantry Battalion Saturday afternoon (July 16).

 
A.k.a. Abu Jafar, 23, married, and a resident of Al-Barka; a.k.a. Sambon, 23, separated, and a resident of Tipo-Tipo; a.k.a. Aksad, 27, married, and a resident of Tuburan, and; a.k.a. Abu Kain, 27, married, and a resident of Hadji Mohammad Ajul handed over their high-powered firearms to the government forces at the headquarters of 18IB in Barangay Campo Uno, Lamitan City at 2:30 p.m., same day. Surrendered personalities turned over two M1 Garand rifles, one Garand rife, and one Carbine.

 
During the initial debriefing, the former violent extremists said that they surrendered because they wanted to have a peaceful life with their families away from danger. They also said that they were encouraged to lay down their arms after learning that their former companions are already undergoing rehabilitation and reintegration program.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Commander of JTF Basilan attributed the successful surrender of the four former ASG members to the collaborative efforts of the 18IB and the PNP units in Al-Barka, Tuburan, and Tipo-Tipo.

 
JTF Basilan reported a total of 22 Abu Sayyaf surrenders in Basilan Province since the year started. It brings the number of surrendered personalities to 85 in the different JTFs of WestMinCom for this year alone.

 
“Soldiers under the WestMinCom will not rest until the last terrorist will be neutralized either peacefully or forcefully,” Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command said. “We will also continue to process former rebels and violent extremists (FRs and FVEs), in partnership with other government units, for their rehabilitation and reintegration programs.”

The WestMinCom chief also said that one of the reasons for the continuing surrenders of Abu Sayyaf Group members in Basilan is the massive implementation of projects by the provincial government that brought livelihood opportunities.

 
#SupportOurTroops
#SundaloSalamatsaSerbisyo
#AFPyoucanTRUST
#TeamAFP
#TeamWestMinCom
#WholeOfNationApproach

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/photos/pcb.345162764485277/345162087818678/

https://www.facebook.com/westmincomafp2021/?ref=page_internal