8 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Eight Abu Sayyaf bandits have surrendered in Sulu.

The military said personnel of the 2nd Special Forces, 15th Civil-Military Operations and 100th Infantry Battalions facilitated the surrender of Padding Padjiri, Ibrahim Jul Uppih, an alias Yasser, Abraham Alawara, Adzar Karun, Dansalan Jumadil, Sahadani Murani and Bulli Barri at the headquarters of the 1101st Infantry Brigade (IB) in Talipao on Friday.

The surrenderees were followers of slain Abu Sayyaf leaders Alhabsy Misaya, Idang Susukan and Said Aklam.

Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, 1101st IB commander, presented the former bandits to Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales.

Bautista said the surrenderees turned over three rifles, a caliber .45 pistol and a caliber .38 pistol.

Jul Uppih said he joined the Abu Sayyaf in 2014. He said he served as one of the guards of those kidnapped by the bandits before he decided to escape with his wife and three children in a remote area in Tawi-Tawi, where he worked as banana farmer.

Gonzales assured the former bandits of assistance as part of the government’s social integration program.