ZAMBOANGA CITY – Ten Abu Sayyaf terrorists have surrendered in the restive Muslim province of Basilan and the military said they would be reintegrated into society as part of the government’s so-called Balik-Loob program.
The terrorists led by Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Bobong Mastul surrendered with their weapons in Sumisip town on Friday, according to the Western Mindanao Command.
Quoting the terrorists, Colonel Gerry Besana, an army spokesman, said the Abu Sayyaf fighters “finally decided to re-embrace Islam and ask forgiveness for all their wrong-doings upon hearing the encouragements (to surrender peacefully) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and by President Rodrigo Duterte himself.”
He said the terrorists were also forced to yield due to hardship as a result of the intensified campaign against lawlessness by the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan.
The military released the names of the other terrorists as Atotong Sarahadil, Mudzrie Salahudin Jabbon, Sapwan Kapitan Aliman, Nassir Jaid Tahil, Hair Tiglama Kawakibon, Adeh Kawakibon, Rubin Ikih, Aminin Baliyong and Suedin Muril.
The group yielded three M16 automatic rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, an Ingram machine pistol, a Carbine and Garand rifles and assorted ammunition and radio communication equipment.
It was unclear whether the terrorists could avail the Balik-Loob program because it was created to reintegrate surrendered communist New People’s Army rebels into society.
While suspected drug users and pushers were being killed in the government’s war on drugs, the government has freed and provided financial aid to the Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Dozens of terrorists had surrendered to the Western Mindanao Command since last year and were eventually returned to their provinces despite their involvements in brutal killings of soldiers and civilians, and deadly bombings and ransom kidnappings in the region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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