ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Six members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to authorities amid the continuing military offensives in Sulu, officials said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the group surrendered around 8 a.m. Monday to the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, headed by Lt. Col. Jessie Montoya in Talipao, Sulu.
Besana identified them as Annuar Sumlahani Dalawis alias Urban; Arsi Kalam Akili; Nassal Asaral; Alvarez Sadjan alias Tundok; Aysal Ajaral alais Taki; and Medzmar Mursin alias Choy.
Besana said Dalawis was a member of the group under ASG sub-leader Sibih Pisih while Akili was with senior ASG leader Radullan Sahiron.
Asaral, Sadjan, and Ajaral, were under ASG sub-leader Apo Mike; while Mursin was a follower of ASG sub-leader Raden Abu.
Besana said they turned over six high-powered firearms consisting of one M16A1 “Baby Armalite” rifle and five .30-caliber M1 Garand rifles.
Besana said they were placed under custodial debriefing and documentation at the headquarters of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Sitio Bayug, Barangay Samak, Talipao, Sulu.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, has commended the troops of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under the Joint Task Force Sulu led by Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo for the recent accomplishment.
“Carry on with your good work,” Dela Vega told the troops.
“We hope that more bandits will decide to surrender instead of risking their lives and engaging themselves in deadly encounters,” he added.
Military operations continue in Sulu in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages from the hands of the ASG bandits, who are still holding captives six people including two foreigners -- a Vietnamese and a Dutch --and four Filipinos. (PNA)
