11 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender —AFP

Eleven Abu Sayyaf members, including two subleaders, surrendered Tuesday night to Joint Task Forces Tawi-tawi and Basilan, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año said Wednesday.

“Just yesterday at around 6 p.m. in Sangasanga, Tawi tawi, 11 notorious members of the Abu Sayyaf group including two of their subleaders along with seven firearms surrendered to Joint Task Force led by Brig Gen. Custodio Parcon Jr and we expect to see more surrendering in the coming days,” said Año during the press conference.

The subleaders were identified as Berong Sariol, alias Boy Master, who operated in Sulu and later transferred to Tawi tawi; and Ben Saudi Dambong Sariol, alsias Boy Pangit, 39, resident of Panglima Sugala, Tawi tawi, also operating there.

Other surrenderers were Jasim Dambong, Muhil Dambong, Magelan Langal, Kael Sariol, Nurhamin Sariol, Alhan Sariol, Amnisain Sariol, Akmad Sariol, and Bensil Sariol.

All are residents of Sition Gipigan, Barangay Baldatal, Sapa-sapa, Tawi-Tawi.

They turned over one M16 rifle with M203, one M14 rifle, one M79 rifle, and four M1 Garand rifle.

The subleaders have been arrested in May 2009 in Tawi tawi but they were released in Zamboanga City due to the absence of a warrant of arrest.

Their group has been involved in the beheading of Fr. Reynaldo Roda in Tabawan, South Ubian, Tawi taiw; the abduction of Mayor Hji Kuyoh Pajiji of Sibuto municipality; abduction of Marcy Dayawan, a Filipino, and Gao Hua Yun, a Chinese, at Singamata Resort, Sampurnah, Sabah; and the abduction of Chulhong Park; and Glen C. Alendajao in Brgy. Baldatal, Sapa sapa, Tawi tawi on October 23, 2016.

They were also wanted in Sabah for various piracy and kidnapping offenses.

The surrenderers will be turned over to the Tawi tawi PNP for proper legal procedures.

From January 1 to April 12, 2017, a total of 16 Abu Sayyaf members have already surrendered to the Joint Task Forces of the Western Mindanao Command. —NB, GMA News