Key Philippine Military and Insurgency-Related Events: WESTMINCOM: 5 lawless elements yield to military forces in Zamboanga Sibugay Province

Friday, June 30, 2023

WESTMINCOM: 5 lawless elements yield to military forces in Zamboanga Sibugay Province

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Jun 30, 2023): 5 lawless elements yield to military forces in Zamboanga Sibugay Province

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City- June 30, 2023

Five lawless elements submitted themselves to the army forces in Zamboanga Sibugay Province on June 29, 2023.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan, said that Abral Ibrahim Abdusalam, a.k.a. Brasil; Hamid Attan Abdusalam, a.k.a. Kadtong; Marvin Kasim; Janhar Abdusalam Martin, a.k.a. Johny; and Faisal Abualas Capunol, all members of the Abdusalam Criminal Group voluntarily surrendered to the elements of the 44th Infantry Battalion at Purok Bougainvilla, Barangay Loboc, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province at 8 a.m. Thursday. Surrendered personalities were subsequently presented to Lt. Col. Anshary Pumbaya, Commanding Officer of 44IB, at the unit’s headquarters in Barangay Lower Baluran, Imelda, same province.

The former CG members handed over one Elisco 5.56mm M16A1 rifle, one Colt 5.56mm M16 rifle, one M1 Garand rifle, one 40mm Grenade Launcher, one Armscor Cal .45 pistol, two 30 cap magazines, and 40 rounds of 5.56mm cartridge.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Suderio, Commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade, said that the surrender is a result of the collaborative efforts of the 44IB, Sibugay Provincial Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 9, and the intelligence units.

Western Mindanao Command Chief, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, said that the snowball of surrenders is a testament that the military has won not only the trust and support of the citizens but also that of the enemies of the state. “Our effective employment of the whole-of-nation approach, together with our partners and stakeholders, continue to reap positive results in our bid to end terrorism and lawlessness in our area of operation.”