ASG SURRENDERERS. Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio (2nd from right), commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, receives a Garand rifle from one of the three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrenderers, at the headquarters of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday (Nov. 23, 2022). Racadio said Friday (Nov. 25, 2022) the three ASG members decided to surrender due to the continued campaign against them in the province of Tawi-Tawi. (Photo courtesy of 2nd Marine Brigade)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) have surrendered to government authorities amid continued law enforcement operations against them in the province of Tawi-Tawi, a top military official said Friday.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, 2nd Marine Brigade commander, said the three ASG surrenderers, identified only through their aliases as Mannan, Saddam, and Saldy, surrendered to the troops of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 in Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi on Wednesday.
Racadio said the three ASG members have decided to surrender as their leaders, who are all Sulu-based ASG commanders, have been killed in separate clashes with government forces, aside from the continued law enforcement operations against them.
He said Mannan was a follower of the late ASG sub-leader Said Mohammad alias Amah Maas, while Saddam and Saldy were all followers of ASG sub-leader Majan Sahidjuan, alias Apo Mike.
Mohammad was killed when troops stormed a lair of the ASG in Patikul, Sulu on March 26, 2016, while Sahidjuan was killed in a clash when Marine troops rescued an Indonesian hostage in Kalupag Island, Languan, Tawi-Tawi on March 20, 2021.
The surrender of the three ASG members was witnessed by Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Philippine Marine Corps commandant; Panglima Sugala Mayor Nurbert Sahali; and a representative of the Municipal Social Services and Development (MSSD) of Panglima Sugala.
The three ASG surrenderers were turned over to the municipal government of Panglima Sugala and were given food packs and cash as initial assistance, courtesy of the MSSD.
Racadio urged the peace-loving communities to unite and work together to sustain peace and stability, and pave the way for the development of Tawi-Tawi. (PNA)
