13 Abu Sayyaf, Maute militants surrender

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Seven more Abu Sayyaf bandits and six members of the Maute group have surrendered in Sulu and Lanao del Sur, respectively.

The bandits turned over an M14 rifle, two Garands, an M16A1, a grenade launcher, an M79 and a caliber .45 pistol, Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said yesterday.

The surrenderees were followers of Gapor Jumdai, Doc Abu, Idang and Jaber Susukan and the late Alhabsy Misaya and Radullan Sahiron. 

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, called on the remaining bandits to lay down their arms and avail themselves of the government’s assistance to rebel returnees. 

The military said around 100 Abu Sayyaf bandits have surrendered in Sulu since January. 

Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, First Army Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan commander, said six Maute men who surrendered on Tuesday yielded a .50-caliber rifle, three M79 grenade launchers and a carbine to the 49th Infantry Division in Sultan Dumalungdong.

Murillo said Mayor Jamel Kurangking and barangay captain Mohammad Saber Solaiman facilitated the surrender of the militants.

At least 20 Maute  men surrendered in the past two weeks.

Lt. Col. Edgar Allan Villanueva of the 49th Infantry Battalion said the surrenderees were with the group of Mubarak Manalo, which was  tagged in the attack of a military detachment in Pantar town at the height of the fighting in Marawi last year.