LAMITAN CITY, Basilan -- Three more Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members, who are relatives of the slain emir of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for Southeast Asia Isnilon Hapilon, have surrendered as government offensives continue in this province.
Lt. Col. Jonas Templo, Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion commander, identified the surrenderees as Ben Salim Sapilin alias Been Sapilin; one alias Attik, 23, and Mohammad Endeng alias Aburayhan, 22.
Templo said the three are cousins of Hapilon, who was killed in a firefight on Monday dawn with government forces in Marawi City.
Templo said the three surrendered at around 4 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Macalang, Al-Barka, Basilan.
He said they are currently undergoing custodial debriefing facilitated by the intelligence operatives of the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion.
Since January this year, a total of 123 ASG members have surrendered in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and in this city. (PNA)
