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BASILAN – The Philippine Army
has vowed to help remaining Abu Sayyaf fighters in the southern province of
Basilan rejoin mainstream society and live a normal life with their families
as long as they surrender peacefully.
Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon,
commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, in the province renewed calls for
Abu Sayyaf members to give up their violent armed struggle and take advantage
of the government’s amnesty program.
The call was made following the
recent surrender of five Abu Sayyaf fighters.
The terrorists surrendered to
the 64th Infantry Battalion in Sumisip town. The five men,
whose names were not made public by the military, also surrendered four
rifles and a grenade launcher, said Lt. Col. Abel Potutan, commander of the
64th Infantry Battalion.
Luzon commended the battalion
for facilitating the surrender of the Abu Sayyaf extremists and paving the
way to achieve peace and development in Basilan, a major stronghold of the
pro-IS group blamed by authorities for the spate of attacks in the restive
region.
He also attributed the
successful surrender of the terrorists to the collaborative efforts and
untiring support of the local governments and civilians.
“It is a testament that as we
work together, we can achieve peace and prosperity that can make Basilan
ASG-free. We will help these five former ASG members to rejoin the mainstream
society and live a normal, peaceful, and harmonious life with their
families,” Luzon said.
The military said the number of
Abu Sayyaf has dwindled over the years due to the mass surrender of its
members and the continued operations against extremist groups in the South.
(Mindanao Examiner)
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