ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Twenty-one members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to authorities led by the Special Action Force on Jan. 4, Wednesday, in Asturias, Jolo, Sulu.
The surrenderers were received by Major Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, PNP-Special Action Force director, at the 7th Special Action Battalion (SAB) headquarters in Camp Julasirim A. Kasim.
They were identified as Maser Mohammad, Mujer Aharaji, Al Basa Julpa, Algamir Muksan, Alsibar Sali, Alih Pahuddok Salim, Baltazar Samla Mustali, Ebin Habibi Hapas, Ebing Sali Namli;
Hamid Budan Hadjirul, Jurrin Alingan Hapas, Madz Samdani, Marin Indanan, Muktimar Arajan Ismi, Musar Sakib Jumli, Omar Pasihol Madjaluddin, Rajim Jambon Makdilul, Saldy Sali Jamiri, Sali Ismin, Ajam, Tajam Salihuddin Hajan, and Tupay Amiril Arajani.
The surrenderers were subjected to custodial debriefing, documentation, and orientation at the 7th SAB headquarters.
No firearms were surrendered by the group.
The ceremony was attended by Nur-Raez Omar, focal person of the Sulu Provincial Task Force ELCAC; and representatives from the Ministry of Interior and Local Government, and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform.
Joint military and police elements facilitated their surrender in line with the government’s soft approach in counterterrorism operations under the SAF CARES program.