Zamboanga City – A modified Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle was handed over here at the Headquarters of 15th Special Forces Company (15SFC)in Sitio Dangkalan of Barangay Kulaybato, Lamitan City recently, as an enlightened Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member voluntarily surrendered to the military.
The ASG returnee was identified as Hamid S. Damain alias Putoh, 31 years old, and a resident of Barangay Langgong, Hadji Mohammad Adjul, Basilan Province.
In a press statement of Philippine Army in Basilan claimed, Damain handed over to Captain Sherwin Latiera, the Commanding Officer of 15SFC, his modified Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle with optical sighting device, magazine, and several rounds of live ammunitions.
Accordingly, Putoh was a member of ASG sub-leader Abdullah Indanan before he decided to separate from the group and looked for an opportune time to
surrender to the government last week. He is grateful to the Local Government Unit of Hadji Mohammad Adjul and to the military for extending support for him to start anew and be with his family for good.
“Bukas ang ating pintuan para sa mga kapatid nating ASG na gustong magbalik-loob sa gobyerno. Hindi pa huli ang lahat, may pagkakataon pa kayong magbagong buhay.”, said Captain Latiera.
The ASG returnee will undergo a reformation process thru the Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) in order for him to become responsible and productive citizen in the community.
(Fourth Special Forces Battalion)