9 terrorists yield in Sulu

From the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 11, 2021): 9 terrorists yield in Sulu

The Philippine military announced Wednesday afternoon the surrender of 9 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in the southern province of Sulu.

It said members of the 6th Special Forces, 21st and 45th Infantry Battalions facilitated the surrender of the terrorists in Indanan town. They also yielded five rifles and two sub-machine guns and ammunition.

This was also confirmed by Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Sulu. He said the terrorists surrendered on August 9, but this was only announced yesterday for a still unknown reason.

But Gonzales said: “These people have once gone astray. We are glad that they choose a life of peace instead of hiding.”

One of those who surrendered, Totoh Engal, admitted to the military his involvement in the kidnappings of 21 mostly European holidaymakers from the posh dive resort island of Sipadan in Sabah; and clashed with security forces in Sulu that wounded him.

“Iniwan ko yung anak kong panganay na two years old palang noong sumama ako sa grupo. Lakad lang kami ng lakad sa bundok hanggang sa natamaan po ako ng bala noong kasagsagan ng gyera dito sa Sulu. Siguro mga limang bala ang tumama sa kaliwa kong balikat. Pangalawang buhay ko na ito at nagpapasalamat ako na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na bumalik sa pamilya ko at hindi na yung magtago pa,” said Enggal.

Gonzales lauded the efforts of the soldiers in convincing the terrorists to surrender peacefully. He said the surrenderees will be given government assistance.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga tropa natin na ginagawan ng pagkakataon na makabalik itong siyam sa payapang buhay. Sa ganitong paraan, nababawasan tayo ng kalaban at nagkakaroon tayo ng kakampi. Ituring niyo rin kaming kakampi at sabay naging pagsikapan na magkaroon ng oportunidad ang lahat ng taga Sulu, kasama na kayo, sa isang tahimik at maunlad na buhay,” he said.

It was unclear whether the terrorists would be absolved of their crimes or not, but previous Abu Sayyaf surrenderees had received financial and livelihood aids for them to start a new life with their family. 

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