3 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Three Abu Sayyaf bandits, one of them involved in the kidnapping of five Indonesians in January, surrendered in Patikul, Sulu on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, 1102nd Brigade commander, said Albasir Salim, a follower of slain sub-leader Sibih Pisih; Splakang Panduga Abdulmain , who was with the group of Ekoh Udjaman, and a certain Dexter yielded to the 6th Special Forces Battalion and turned over their rifles and ammunition.

The military said Dexter, who surrendered through the intercession of villagers, claimed he was not aware that the group he joined would resort to kidnapping.

The Indonesian crewmembers of a fishing boat were seized off Lahad Datu in Sabah on Jan. 16 and brought to Sulu.

Four of the victims remain in the hands of Abu Sayyaf bandits. One was found dead hours after an encounter with soldiers in September killed suspected bomb maker Arsibar Sawadjaan.

In Indanan, soldiers foiled a bomb attack by Abu Sayyaf bandits after an improvised explosive device (IED) was discovered in Barangay Timbangan.

Col. Antonio Bautista, commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade, said the IED, which was planted along the road, was believed to be made by Mundi Sawadjaan, who was tagged in twin bombings in Jolo in August that left 15 people dead and 74 others wounded.