Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, 10 followers surrender in Basilan
Former members of the Abu Sayyaf group surrender to the military in January. Philstar.com/Roel Pare?o, file
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and 10 of his followers surrendered in Basilan on Wednesday after intensified combat operations, security commanders said.
Col. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, said the Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to the 68th and 74th infantry battalions.
Uy said Ibrahim Malat Sulayman, a sub-leader and native of Barangay Macalang, Al-Barka, led 10 of his followers in the surrender ceremony. They yielded 11 firearms to the military.
Those who surrendered with Sulayman were Salimbawa Ahlil Tanjal, alias Salim Toong Masud; Salasni Ambing Mahawan, alias Ado Emmong; Ahmad Abbi, alias Bolkia, all listed under the group of Abu Sayyaf leaders Nurhassan Jamiri; Mar-ie Cabulut Indama, under Furuji Indama; Muhammad Kalung-Hassan, Salman Hawkasa; Husael Fernandez; Roy Mendoza Cabiangan; Ebtor Asano; and Madja Palinta.
They were presented at the Sumisip Municipal Hall Compalex at Barangay Buli-Buli on Wednesday morning.
Uy underscored the participation of the local and provincial government leadership in helping facilitate the surrender.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said more Abu Sayyaf members are expected to come out and yield because of pressure from relentless military operations.
“We are confident that more Abu Sayyaf members will be compelled to cross the line. This feat will convince us even more to intensify our offensives against the remaining fighters," Galvez said.
The military said at least 96 Abu Sayyaf members have yielded since January to the Joint Task Forces of Western Mindanao, 54 of whom surrendered in Basilan, 19 in Sulu, 21 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in this city.
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