"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.
The Abu Sayyaf, led by, Isnilon Hapilon, their leader and recognized "emir" of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia, allied with the Maute terror group. However, Hapilon have already fled the conflict-stricken city causing feud between leaders of the terror group in Marawi City.
The militants surrendered amid the military rule in the entire island of Mindanao as a result of attacks in Marawi City which was considered to be a Muslim sanctuary in Mindanao.
Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, stated that the militants also surrendered their 11 different firearms, there were seven high-powered and four-low powered along with magazines and ammunition.
"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," Uy said.
"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," he added.
The 11 are now in the custody of the local government unit of Sumisip while waiting for further disposition.
Last month, twenty-three Abu Sayyaf members surrendered in the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) in Zamboanga City released a statement saying the military's all-out offensives "compelled" the bandits to lay down their arms and yield to authorities.
Fifteen of them surrendered to the soldiers of 64th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan Province. The sub-leaders of Abu Sayyaf, Nur Hassan Lahaman, aka Hassan, and Mudz-Ar Angkun, aka Mapad Ladjaman, surrendered to the troops of said battalion along with their 13 members.
They turned over 9 high-powered firearms, a caliber .50 sniper rifle, M16 rifle, M79 40 mm grenade launcher, 5 garand rifles and a caliber .30 springfield rifle.
Meanwhile, four Abu Sayyaf and Kidnap-for-Ransom-Group (KFRG) surrendred at the Joint Task Force Basilan's troops. The members were identified as Patta Salapuddin, aka Patta, 53; Asbi Salapuddin, aka Asbi, 32; Sayyadi Salapuddin, aka Saya, 31; and Arci Salapuddin, aka Arc, 20. They turned over 2 M16 rifles and an M79.
The Salapuddin brothers are linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group and KFRG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, according to the Wesmincom. They were allegedly involved in the recent seajacking of M/V Super Shuttle T/B 1 on March 23 this year 2017.
Source: GMA
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