ASG BANDITS. Six Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits surrender and turn in high-powered firearms to military authorities in Patikul town, Sulu province on Wednesday (March 15, 2023). Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, the Army's 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander, says the ASG surrenderers initially received cash and food assistance from the 32nd Infantry Battalion. (Photo courtesy of 11ID)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Six Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have surrendered to authorities as they wish to avail of the government programs for returnees and to live peacefully together with their families, military officials said Friday.
The bandits surrendered to Lt. Col. Edward Viteño, the Army's 32nd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, on Wednesday at Barangay Bonbon in Patikul town, Sulu province.
They turned over four high-powered firearms consisting of an M-16 Armalite rifle, an M1 Garand rifle, a Carbine rifle, and an M-203 grenade launched with ammunition.
Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, the Army's 11th Infantry Division commander, said they are preparing the documents to enroll the ASG surrenderers in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and the Project Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TUGON).
Project TUGON is a program under Ministry of the Interior and Local Government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Patrimonio said the 32IB provided initial financial and food assistance to the ASG surrenderers.
The surrender of the six brought to 57 the total number of ASG members who surrendered to the government since January in Sulu.
Fifty-one ASG members surrendered the past two months in the towns of Patikul and Indanan. (PNA)
