Sumisip, Basilan – Eleven (11) members of the notorious bandit group Abu Sayyaf operating in Basilan province voluntarily surrendered to the joint elements of the 74th Infantry Battalion under LTC JONAS B TEMPLO INF (GSC) PA and 68th Infantry Battalion under LTC JORRY L BACLOR INF (GSC) PA, 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division, Philippine Army.
COL JUVYMAX R UY INF (GSC) PA, Commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan and 104th Infantry Brigade together with Sumisip Mayor Gulam Hataman and local officials facilitated the surrender of the ASG members in a simple surrender rite held at the Sumisip Municipal Hall in Brgy. Buli-Buli, Sumisip, Basilan on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.
According to them, their surrender was catalyzed by the continuous pressure from the local populace of Sumisip and Al-barka because they had lost their morale and will to fight due to the relentless and intensified Focused Military Operation conducted by government forces in the entire province of Basilan.
“This was brought about by the cooperation between the military and the people of Sumisip as well as the effect of the increased social pressure for the Abu Sayyaf Group to stop their barbaric activities. With the military opening its arms to the peaceful surrender of members of the group, these men were urged by their families to leave banditry, return to the fold of the law, and lead normal lives,” Hataman said.
On his part, Col. Juvymax Uy said that, “This is a definite manifestation that our collaborative efforts with the different local government units and other stakeholders in the province of Basilan are not futile actions. It was made possible because we in the military and the people of Basilan are on the same page in the pursuit of a lasting peace and continued development befitting every Filipino citizen.”
The surrendered personalities are now under the custody of the local government unit of Sumisip while waiting for further disposition. ###PH Army | via Eunice Samonte PTVNews