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2 ASG supporters surrender, yield firearms in Basilan

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

April 15, 2019, 7:30 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Two Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) supporters have surrendered to military authorities in Basilan province, an Army official said Monday.

Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, identified the ASG supporters who surrendered over the weekend as Jolmy Ambihal Pingli and Roma Pawaki Tapsi.

Pingli surrendered a Garand rifle while Tapsi turned over an M-203 grenade launcher, Reyeg said.

Reyeg said Pingli surrendered to the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion in Ungkaya Pakan town while Tapsi on Hadji Mohammad Ajul municipality, also to the same Army battalion.

He said the two surrendered out of fear they will become targets of the focused military operations launched by the Joint Task Force Basilan against ASG bandits in the province.

He added that the surrender of the two ASG supporters was an offshoot of the active collaboration of barangay officials and the ongoing campaign of the Joint Task Force Basilan against terrorism.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the two ASG supporters were "despaired by the ASG’s deception."

He said the bandits are gradually losing mass support because of the military’s "incessant operation and collaboration with the local government units and peace partners."

“This synergy (collaboration) is maintained to facilitate the attainment of long- term security and development that every Basileño deserves,” Dela Vega said

“Your armed forces is one with you in this journey to quell Mindanao of peace spoilers,” he added. (PNA)

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