Kalinaw News: Nine Abu Sayyaf members surrendered in Sulu

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 11, 2021): Nine Abu Sayyaf members surrendered in Sulu



Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Jolo, Sulu – Last Monday, nine Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members formally surrendered to military units in Sulu under at 1102nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Brgy Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu.

According to Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen William N Gonzales, the ASG bandits yielded their firearms. “These people have once gone astray. We are glad that they choose a life of peace instead of hiding. They surrendered firearms including three (3) Cal .30, M1 rifle, one M1 Garand with one clip and eight rounds of cal 30 ammunitions, one Uzi Sub Machine Gun, one US Carbine Cal 30 M1 and a KG9 Cal 9mm.”

MGen Gonzales personally received the surrenderors after 1102nd Bde Commander BGen Benjamin G Batara Jr presented the nine to him. BGen Batara identified the former bandits as alias Mannan Abdul, Aldaser Bingkal, alias Tisoy and alias Madz, all affiliated to sub-leader Basaron Arok; Takiyo Imdan and Totoh Engal under late leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan; Ahamad H Hadjilani under senior leader Radullan Sahiron; alias Abu Jundi under sub-leader Yasser Igasan, alias Ramon under the group of sub-leader Idang Susukan and Alabsi Bisaya.

Their surrender was facilitated by the 6th Special Forces, 21st Infantry Battalion and 45th Infantry Battalion.

In an interview, surrenderor Engal admitted his involvement in the Sipadan kidnappings. He also shared that he joined terror group when he was 25 years old and that he was once wounded in an encounter with the military.

“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.

In his speech, MGen Gonzales lauded the continuous efforts of all units under JTF-Sulu and assured that surrenderors will get the assistance that they need. “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.”

Also present was Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini who also pledged assistance to the surrenderors.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

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