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Abu Sayyaf surrenderers should be treated like NPA returnees, says Duterte


President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inspection of the firearms handed over by surrenders from the stronghold of pro-Islamic State militants group Abu Sayyaf at the Capitol Site in Patikul, Jolo, Philippines March 26, 2018. Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters
President Rodrigo Duterte leads the inspection of the firearms handed over by surrenders from the stronghold of pro-Islamic State militants group Abu Sayyaf at the Capitol Site in Patikul, Jolo, Philippines March 26, 2018. Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters


Abu Sayyaf members who will surrender to the government should be given the same treatment as members of the New People's Army (NPA), President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday.

In a speech in Patikul, Sulu, Duterte said NPA surrenderers in Davao were given houses, jobs and skills training.

“For those interested, government is ready. Kaya nga, bahay --- malaki man itong Sulu. Hindi ako mag-condo-condo. Gawa na ako konting mga bahay-bahay. And I can accommodate you. Just give me about two years,” he said of Abu Sayyaf members wanting to surrender.

During his visit, the President led the inspection of 652 loose firearms handed over by the local government units of Sulu to the military.

Seventy-six Abu Sayyaf members who surrendered to government were also presented to him.

The Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) reported that to date, at least 1,157 loose firearms have been recovered by the Joint Task Force Sulu.

The event was part of the President's campaign to recover loose firearms to make the country safe from gun violence. He believes easy access to guns fuels rebellion and insurgency.

The ongoing martial law in Mindanao made it easier for the military to recover undocumented weapons, according to Wesmincom.

The 76 Abu Sayyaf members also surrendered 205 assorted firearms.

From January 1, 2017 to March 26, 2018, a total of 202 Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to Joint Task Force Sulu.

Of this number, 85 are from Basilan, 79 from Sulu, 36 from Tawi-Tawi and two are from Zamboanga City. —BAP/ALG, GMA News

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