ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits, including one involved in the Sipadan kidnapping in 2000, have surrendered to authorities in the province of Sulu, a top police official reported Monday.
Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, identified the ASG surrenderers as Mujir Jallah Aharadji alias "Appah," 29; Jurrim Alungan Hapas, 61; and Ebin Habiba Hapas, 60.
Verceles said the three surrendered around 1:30 p.m. Monday at Camp Julasirim Kasim that houses the Sulu Police Provincial Office in Barangay Asturias, Jolo, the capital town of the province.
Verceles said all of the three ASG surrenderers were involved in clashes with government troops during their stay with the bandit group.
Aharadji joined the group of Radulan Sahiron, the oldest ASG leader in Sulu, after the death of his leader, Hairulla Asbang, in April 2021.
Both Jurrim and Ebin were followers of the slain ASG leader Amah Maas, who was killed sometime in 2005.
Jurrim was involved in the kidnapping of 21 people —11 Asians and 10 Europeans— on April 23, 2000 from a dive resort in Sipadan Island, Malaysia.
Verceles said the surrender of the three ASG members was facilitated by a composite team of policemen from Sulu, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Special Action Force.
All of the three ASG surrenderers were placed under debriefing and profiling procedures. (PNA)
