4 Abu Sayyaf fighters, 6 supporters surrender in Sulu –military

Four Abu Sayyaf Group members and six of their supporters surrendered to the military in Sulu, the Western Mindanao Command reported on Saturday.

According to Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., the ASG fighters and supporters surrendered to Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1 ) at the latter's headquarters in Sulu's Old Panamao town.

MBLT-1 commanding officer Lt. Col. Marvin Salvan identified the ASG returnees as 28-year-old Makkin Salidin, 32-year-old Idjo Abduraja, 35-year-old Haris Jul, and 37-year-old Raham Saddih.

Salidin was a subordinate of ASG sub-leader Sansibar Bencio.

The returnees handed over thier weapons - three M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, and a .45 caliber pistol - and several magazines and ammunition rounds.

Meanwhile, the ASG supporters were identified as Sansibar Bencio's spouse Marissa Marajan, Bencio's mother Maybat Saliddin, the wife of ASG member Sikal Hussein Armilyn Abduraja, Arsalyn Abduraja, Parida Abduraja, and Mussah Abduraja Saddih.

The supporters surrendered an M1 Garand rifle.

All the returnees were debriefed, after which they were brought to the Panamao District Hospital for medical check-ups.

Col. Hernanie Songano, commander of the 4th Marine Brigade, said the returnees would be turned over to their respective barangays and local government units for proper disposition, while his brigade would take custody of the turned-over weapons. — DVM, GMA News