5 alleged Abu Sayyaf members surrendered in Basilan —military

The Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) on Tuesday said five alleged members of Abu Sayyaf surrendered to the military in Lamitan City, Basilan, on Sunday.

In a statement, Wesmincom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the bandits turned themselves in at the 68th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in Campo Uno.

The rebels were identified as alias Nori, 32 years old;  Ansar, 44; Dam, 44; Miyo, 42; . Sharim, 30, according to 68th IB acting battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon Pabon, Jr.

The five also surrendered their firearms including four M1 Garand rifles and one KG9 semi-automatic pistol with a magazine and five cartridge 9mm ammunition.

The Abu Sayyaf members and their firearms were presented to Joint Task Force Basilan commander Brigadier General Domingo Gobway.

Gobway said JTF Basilan with the provincial and local government officials will assist the five former Abu Sayyaf members in their reintegration into mainstream society.

According  to Wesmincom, 21 Abu Sayyaf personalities have surrendered to JTF Basilan since January. Eighteen of them were regular members and three were supporters of the group.

“We are optimistic that those bandits who are still hiding will soon come out and avail of the programs and projects that the government offers,” Vinluan said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News