5 Sayyaf terrorists yield in South

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five Abu Sayyaf terrorists surrendered in Sulu and Basilan, two of five provinces under the restive Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines, the military announced on Tuesday.

The Western Mindanao Command said a 22-year old member of the pro-ISIS group surrendered in Basilan’s Tipo-Tipo town. The terrorist was only identified by his alias as Bullet, who also yielded an M16 rifle to the 18^th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Egverr Jonathan Abutin.

This was confirmed by Army Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan, who said the number of Abu Sayyaf fighters in the province is now dwindling due to the continued surrender of terrorists to the government.

“The strength and manpower of the Abu Sayyaf group have dwindled. We sustain our efforts to totally eradicate the group and bring lasting peace in the province of Basilan,” he said.

Four other terrorists also yielded in Panamao town in Sulu, according to Army Maj. Gen. William Gonzalez, commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu. He urged Abu Sayyaf members to surrender peacefully.

“We welcome the surrender of the ASG members and acknowledge the support of the local government and the people in our efforts to defeat the enemies of the state,” he said.

The terrorists, whose names were withheld by the military, surrendered two M16 rifles, one M1 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol, including assorted ammunition when they yielded to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-7 under Lt. Col. Eduard Olaso.

The four were eventually handed over to Panamao Mayor Al-Fraizer Abdurajak for “proper disposition.”

Army Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr. chief of the Western Mindanao Command, commended the soldiers for the surrender of the terrorists. He said the mass surrender was also an offshoot of the military’s continued campaign against terrorism in the province and the coordinated efforts of the local and provincial governments.

“The Western Mindanao Command through its Joint Task Forces is tightening its security operations that is why most of the members and supporters of the threat groups opted to return to the folds of the law. I hope that the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf will also come to their senses and yield peacefully,” he said.

He said some 206 Abu Sayyaf terrorists had surrendered in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces since early this year. (Mindanao Examiner)