Sayyaf member to receive benefits afte surrender

February 16, 2020

Abu Sayyaf member Abraham Sahirin, alias Abraham,  will receive considerable benefits from the Sulu Provincial Task Force to End the Local Armed Conflict following his surrender to military troops in Sulu.

Abraham, a resident of Brgy Bungkaung, Patikul, Sulu yielded to soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team  along with his US Garrand rifle on February 6, 2020.

“I joined the Abu Sayyaf because of the fighters’ promises to make our lives better. Their works are, however, against the holy Qur’an,” said Abraham, claiming he is a victim of the deceptive indoctrination of the terrorist group.<

92IB Commander Lt. Col. Raul Vigo presented Abraham to Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini on February 7. The former fighter received cash assistance to start a life anew before military troops turned him over to Sulu Provincial Office.

“Let us continue to reach out to other Abu Sayyaf members who are victims of inculcated deceptive beliefs,” said Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Major General Corleto Vinluan, Jr. He further vowed military actions against Abu Sayyaf fighters who resisted the calling to submit to the government and lauded military units involved in the process of ending the local armed conflict in Sulu.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the continuing successive gains spur our resolve to end terrorism in Sulu and other parts of the region.

“We are gaining a foothold, but we will not rest on our laurel, not until we crush down terrorists and deliver peace and development in the area of operation,” he added. DMS