5 Abu Sayyaf men surrender in Basilan, Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Five Abu Sayyaf bandits operating in Sulu and Basilan surrendered to the regional police office in this city on Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said the surrenderees also turned over an M14 and four M16 rifles, two of which have M203 grenade launchers; several magazines with ammunition, four rounds of 40mm rifle grenades and two fragmentation grenades. 

Quidilla identified the surrenderees only as Ar-jun, 21, a native of Barangay Latih, Jolo; Khaifal, 23, of Kabuntakas, Patikul; It, 20, of Suyak, Ungkaya Pukan, and Khap Boy, 29, and Mat, 33, both of Baguindan, Tipo-Tipo.  

“The continued campaign to convince Abu Sayyaf members to return to the fold of law and... pressures brought by relentless efforts of the Joint Peace and Security Control Center... resulted in the surrender,” Quidilla said. 

The surrenderees underwent medical checkup and debriefing. They will be provided livelihood assistance as part of their integration to their communities, authorities said.

 At least 49 former Abu Sayyaf bandits recently completed a 10-month Alternative Learning System. The program is part of the Prevention Against Violent Extremism initiative of Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, which started when he was governor of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.