ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-leaders and 13 of their members surrendered to soldiers of the Joint Task Force- Sulu (JTF-Sulu), according to Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom) in this city.
Vinluan identified on Saturday, December 12, the two ASG sub-leaders as Alvin Yusop, also known as Arab Puti, who was under senior leader Radulan Sahiron; and Barahim Nurjahar, who was under deceased senior leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan.
They surrendered with 13 of their men, and also turned in 14 firearms to JTF Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, and the two brigade commanders, who facilitated the surrender.
According to 1102nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Arab Puti was a kidnapper and a close-in security of Sahiron.
His family convinced him to surrender because his mother recently suffered stroke.
Accordingly, Puti wanted to take care of his sick mother.
He also wanted to change for the better for the sake of his four children, Vinluan reported.
Meanwhile, government forces also have long been on the hunt for Nurjahar.
Col. Antonio Bautista Jr., 1101st Brigade commander, said, the presence of government troops drove Nurjahar from his stronghold, and caused him to starve.
“Realizing that his struggle was futile, he approached the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Jikiri faction, which then linked him to us for his proper surrender,” Bautista said.
According to Bautista, Nurjahar was behind the kidnapping of the sister of one of the mayors of Sulu.
Nurjahar will still face legal proceedings, but has expressed his willingness to cooperate with government forces, Bautista added.
"I commend both the Ganarul and Gagandilan troopers. Imagine, even Arab Puti, the ringleader of the ASG's urban criminal group around 2017 and the most trusted subordinate of Radulan Sahiron came to his senses and laid down his arms." Vinluan said.
Among the surrendered ASG were the two sons of ASG sub-leader and kidnapper Apoh Mike identified as Muarip Adja, alias Arip; and Hatimil Adja, alias Timmir.
Lt. Col. James Erasmus Gagni, 41st Infantry Battalion commander, revealed that Adja was present when ASG senior leader Sawadjaan died.
Gagni said that the successful surrender of the two was a result of their community support program and their peace covenant with the residents of Maimbung.
Gonzales said that all returnees will be enrolled in the livelihood programs of the government.
"We are teaming up with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and the Office of the Governor so that you can start a new life. Go on and raise your kids to be peace-loving citizens. Tell the others (ASG members), tell Apoh Mike, that they are welcome so long as they are sincere, willing to face the rule of law, and most of all, ready to cooperate in our fight for peace here in Sulu," Gonzales said.