ZAMBOANGA CITY – Fourteen Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) personalities surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, October 4, in Basilan.
Six of them were members and eight were supporters.
A FORMER Abu Sayyaf Group member surrenders to the 101st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Isabela City, Basilan. (Westmincom photo)
The group handed over their firearms to 101st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon at the 101st Infantry Brigade headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan.
Luzon attributed the surrender to efforts by the 64th and 18th Infantry Battalions, 4th Special Forces Battalion, 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, intelligence units, and the local government units of Sumisip, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Tipo-Tipo, and Lantawan in Basilan.
The surrenderers underwent debriefing while their firearms were deposited at the 101st Brigade headquarters for proper documentation.
Major Gen. Steve Crespillio, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief, commended the surrenderers for making the right decision to return to the fold of the law.
“Rest assured that we will help them to start anew through the reintegration programs of the government,” said Crespillio.