Veteran Sayyaf fighter yields in Sulu after wife’s capture

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A notorious Abu Sayyaf terrorist who fought fiercely with security forces the past eight years has surrendered to the military along with 4 others following the capture of his wife in Sulu province in southern Philippines.

A photo released by the 11th Infantry Division shows Abu Sayyaf terrorist Jaber Binuri.

 

The 35-year old veteran fighter Jaber Binuri and the other pro-ISIS militants yielded on Wednesday and are being interrogated by security officials. Binuri’s wife Nudsza Ismanu Aslum was among 9 women, who were potential suicide bombers, arrested separately in operations mounted by soldiers and police commandos in Sulu last month.

 

Binuri’s wife also lied to military interrogators after she claimed that her husband was already dead. The women were facing criminal charges after security forces seized improvised explosives from their hideouts.

 

Army Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said Binuri and the other women were potential suicide bombers that are planning to conduct inhumane acts of terrorism in Sulu and possibly in the neighboring provinces as well. 

Gonzales said: “Jaber and Nudsza's story is a stark example of how terrorism has put its claws on the integrity of a family. Fortunately, Jaber's duties as a father won over his loyalty to the Abu Sayyaf. I commend his guts for coming forward. I personally assured him that his trust on us will not be put to waste.”

 

During an army interrogation, Binuri said he joined the Abu Sayyaf in 2013 under Hajan Sawadjaan, who was eventually killed during a battle with the military, and later joined the group of Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Ben Wagas.

 

“Mga 31 na encounter, o higit pa siguro, ang nasalihan ko. Dati umaabot sa tatlong beses kami nakakasagupa ng sundalo. Madalas K3 machine gun ang dala ko pero naghawak din ako ng M14 at armalite,” Binuri said.

 

He said when the news of his wife's capture broke out, he told Wagas that he would get his two children, a three-year old boy and a five-month old baby, out of Sulu and bring them to Zamboanga City. But unknown to his commander, Binuri secretly contacted a government soldier, who is also his friend, to arrange for his peaceful surrender.

 

“Noong nalaman ko na naaresto ang asawa ko, nagpaalam ako kay Ben Wagas na magbakasyon para kunin ko yung mga anak namin at dalhin sa Zamboanga. Ang totoo, nakatawag na ako sa kaibigan ko na sundalo na gusto ko na bumaba,” Binuri said.

 

Lt. Col. Nelicar Corsimo, commander of the 15^th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said Binuri is now reunited with his three-year old boy and undergoing custodial debriefing sessions. “He is still adjusting. He came to us just four days ago. But he is doing well and he's with his 3-year old child.”

 

The other militants who surrendered were identified as Jupihar Alih, 25; Hassan Albain, 25; William Janatol, 38; Rajik Alih, 34; Kaisal Maddan, 22; and Ibin Hapas, 57. They also yielded several weapons and ammunition.

 

Gonzales previously urged other Abu Sayyaf members to surrender peacefully, otherwise they will be hunted down to protect civilians from terrorists. 

“May this serve as a clear message to the supporters and remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf group, we are always ready to welcome those who wish to return to the folds of the law, but if you will refuse to do so, we will surely hunt you down and prevent you from inflicting havoc in the communities,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates