Special Forces battle to win hearts and minds in Sulu

A Special Forces photo shows the two Abu Sayyaf fighters following their surrender in Talipao town in Sulu province on January 1, 2022. 

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippines’ Special Forces soldiers managed to lure two Abu Sayyaf fighters to return to the fold of the law in the southern province of Sulu where security forces are now engaged not in armed campaign, but in winning the hearts and minds of the locals in an effort to eradicate violent extremism.

Sayyaf pa, son yield in Sulu

SULU - A father and his son who are both Abu Sayyaf terrorists have surrendered to the military on Wednesday in Sulu and security officials were quick to say that the duo would be reintegrated into the society as part of the government’s peace efforts in the southern province.