Nearly 200 Abu Sayyaf surrender to military as six more yield to AFP

August 3, 2018

Six members of the Abu Sayyaf Group gave themselves up to the military, bringing the total number of surrenderees to almost 200, the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Friday.

Around 2:30 pm Friday, two Abu Sayyaf members yielded to the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

Alfahad Totong Sahipa, 17 years of age, resident of Barangay Taglibi, Patikul, Sulu; and Julpin Sawadjaan Kamdun, 47, resident of Barangay Panglayahan of same municipality, surrendered to the troops of the 32nd Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Ronaldo Mateo at the 2nd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Bonbon, in Patikul.

The two, who are under ASG sub-leader Hajan Sawadjaan, were subsequently presented to Brigade Commander Colonel Peter Angelo Ramos at the headquarters of the 501st Brigade at Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan.

Around 11 am, four Abu Sayyaf members submitted themselves to the troops of the Marine Base Landing Team (MBLT) 3 led by Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Holdago at their headquarters in Barangay Seit, Poblacion, Panamao.

They were Kareem Sahiya a.k.a Sabirul, Ekiram Asara a.k.a Hatib, Jason Unaw a.k.a Rajad, and Abdulhakim Kahal a.k.a Lakih all under the group of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Alhabsi Misaya and all residents of Barangay Masjid Punjungan, Kalingalang Caluang, Sulu

The surrender was facilitated by the troops in coordination with local officials of Kalingalang Caluang, Sulu and through the efforts of the intel operatives, MNLF Commander Muads Yacub, and Panamao police. DMS