10 ex-Abu Sayyaf supporters surrender in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — Ten alleged supporters of the Abu Sayyaf bandit group have surrendered to authorities in Jolo, Sulu.

The surrenderees turned over 32 firearms and pledged loyalty to the government during a ceremony at Camp Senior Superintendent Julasirim A. Kasim in Barangay Asturias on Monday.

The stable peace and order situation that the people of Sulu have been experiencing since the downfall of the bandit group encouraged the surrenderees to return to the fold of the law, according to the Sulu police.

The surrenderees said they wanted to avail themselves of the government’s peace offer, which reintegrates former members of extremist groups into mainstream society and allows them to live peacefully as civilians.

The former Abu Sayyaf supporters will be placed under the custody of the provincial task force to end local armed conflict, which will oversee their rehabilitation and reintegration into communities.

The Abu Sayyaf was a terrorist group that carried out ransom kidnappings, bomb attacks and other atrocities that claimed numerous lives.

Sulu was declared free from the influence of the bandit group in October 2024.