11 Abu Sayyaf bandits, including leader, surrender

June 22, 2017

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Eleven Abu Sayyaf members, including a sub-leader, surrendered in the province of Basilan, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) announced on Thursday. Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said the group of ASG sub-leader Ibrahim Malat Sulayman surrendered on Wednesday to the Joint Task Force Basilan. Sulayman is a native of Macalang, Al-Barka, Basilan province. Galvez said Sulayman and his followers turned over 11 firearms in surrender rites at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the municipal hall of Sumisip. The companions of Sulayman were Salimbawa Ahlil Tanjal alias Salim Toong Masud; Salasni Ambing Mahawan alias Ado Emmong; Ahmad Abbi alias Bolkia; Mar-ie Cabulut Indama; Muhammad Kalung-Hassan; Salman Hawkasa; Husael Fernandez; Roy Mendoza Cabiangan; Ebtor Asano; and, Madja Palinta. They are followers of Basilan-based ASG leaders Nurhassan Jamiri and Furuji Indama. “With the continuing pressure employed by the troops on the ground, we are confident that more Abu Sayyaf members will be compelled to cross the line. This feat will convince us even more to intensify our offensives against the remaining fighters,” Galvez said. A total of 96 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered since January, this year in Western Mindanao. Of the total, 54 surrendered in Basilan; 19 in Sulu; 21 in Tawi-Tawi; and, two in Zamboanga City. “This is, by far, a breakthrough having so much surrendered hard-core ASG members in just a short span of time. We will continue to put pressure until the last bandit will be taken down,” Galvez added. DMS