Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – Last Friday (Aug. 13), four Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members formally surrendered to military units in Sulu at the 1101st Infantry Brigade (1101st Bde) Headquarters in Bud Bayug, Brgy. Samak, Talipao, Sulu.
1101st Bde Commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista Jr. identified the former bandits as Aharam Dajam under sub-leader Hairula Asbang, Asbi Abraham under the late Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, Saibi Sawabi under ASG sub-leader ‘Apo Mike,’ and Alkaab Baki, grandson of sub-leader Sibih Pisih.
“This was made possible by the efforts of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion, 100th Infantry Battalion, and 11th Military Intelligence Battalion,” Bautista said. “These former members will also turn over their firearms today, which are two Garand rifles, an M16 rifle, and one .357 revolver.”
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11th Infantry Division commander, personally received the ex-ASG’s return to the fold of the law.
“Ikaw, taga-Kabbon Takas ka, di ba? Bumalik ka sa barangay mo ngayon, may covered court na, may kalsada na, may streetlights,” he said to surrenderer Dajam who hails from Kabbon Takas, Patikul. “Ang ganda na ng lugar niyo ngayon. May programa rin na nakalaan para sa pangangailangan niyo na mga nagbalik-loob.”
Gonzales also took interest in surrenderer Baki who, like his grandfather Sibih Pisih, was forced to join ASG because of “rido” or clan war.
In an interview, Baki said: “Nagsimula po ang lahat noong 2014. ‘Yung kapatid ko ho at ‘yung isang lalaki sa kabilang pamilya ay nagkainitan sa basketball at naghamon na magbarilan. Tumagal at taon ho ang lumipas ay mahigit bente ho ang namatay sa kanila. Tapos sa pamilya po namin, may mga namatay din at 40 na bahay ang sinira, kaya iniwan na ho namin. Para magkaroon kami ng proteksyon, dumikit na lang po kami sa Abu Sayyaf. Pero nagkamatayan din ho ang mga kamag-anak ko sa pagsali sa grupo.”
ASG sub-leader Pisih died in an encounter with the military in 2019. Accordingly, this forced other bandits related to him to surrender to government forces.
Per 2nd Special Forces Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jooney Jay Busiños, they will continue to assist Baki and his family.
“We’re working on settling this long-standing conflict so that they could return to their land,” Businos said.
“If all goes as planned, both parties will be able to live without having to worry for their safety. Katulong namin ang LGU [local government units] rito. Itong kasing akala natin na maliliit na bagay, nai-exploit ng Abu Sayyaf. Kaya inaayos natin pati yung ugat ng problema.” (JTF-Sulu) – jlo
