May 22, 2021, Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, Jolo, Sulu- Eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members formally yield to the military in Sulu in a localized integration program at 1101st Infantry Brigade (1101st Bde) Headquarters in Sitio Bayog, Brgy. Samak, Talipao, same province. One of them have just returned to Sulu after hiding in Tawi-tawi for several years.
Thursday afternoon, 1101st Bde Commander BGen Antonio I Bautista Jr presented the eight surrenderers to Joint Task Force – Sulu and 11th Infantry Division Commander MGen. William N. Gonzales. They were identified as Padding Padjiri under sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, Ibrahim Jul Uppih and alias Yasser under sub-leader Idang Susukan, Abraham Alawara, Adzar Karun, Dansalan Jumadil, Sahadani Murani, and Bulli Barri all under late ASGSL Said Aklam @Amah Maas. Their surrender was facilitated by the 2nd Special Forces, 15th Civil Military Operations Battalion and 100th Infantry Battalion.
In an interview, 24-year old Ibrahim Jul Uppih, revealed that he joined ASG around 2014. “Noong panahon kasi na ‘yun tambay lang ako. Tapos sabi ng pinsan ko sumama ako sa kanya sa Abu Sayyaf para kumita ng pera. Paminsan-minsan lang naman kami naabutan pero grabe ang paghihirap ko doon,” he said in the vernacular.
Uppih was just able to reach 2nd grade as he has lost interest in education after his mother died when he was 10-years old. With difficult state of life and the promise of instant cash, he ventured to go with the group. He has been part of three encounters and served as a watchman of kidnap victims. Sensing that his struggle was senseless, he left the group of Susukan and escaped to Tawi-Tawi.
His wife also moved to Tawi-Tawi wherein they had three children. There, Uppih barely made their ends meet as a banana farmer. Accordingly, he lived in fear while he was in another island province. He thought that he still might be hunted by other ASG members or reported to authorities. Fortunately, alias Darius, one of his former group member was able to contact him and encourage him to yield to authorities. Darius is presently a Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliaries.
Uppih, together with his family, has been back in Sulu for three months. “Noong nakabalik na ako rito, grabe ang kabog ng dibdib ko kasi natatakot pa rin ako hangga’t di ako pormal na nakasurrender. Ngayon nandito na ako at Division Commander mismo ang kaharap namin, makakahinga na talaga ako ng maluwag,” he shared.
In his speech, MGen. Gonzales assured them that they will get the assistance that they need. “Napakalaki ng potential ng probinsyang ito. Kung dati halos hindi maaninaw ang kapayapaan, ngayon ay abot tanaw na. It’s just a matter of time, kung gaano tayo kabilis makakarating doon. Itong initiative niyo na magbalik loob, isa ito sa nakakapag-pabilis na makarating ang Sulu sa inaasam na kapayapaan. Kasama rin kayo sa magandang hinaharap na iyon,” he addressed the surrenderees.
The surrendered brought with them three M1 Garand Rifle, Cal .38 and Cal .45 pistols.
(WesMinCom Public Information Office)