Three former Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group/Kidnap For Ransom Group members surrendered consecutively in Tawi-Tawi on December 2 to 4, 2020, the WestMinCom Commander said.
“A certain Alsadi Hanain, a.k.a. Al, yielded and handed over his M1 Garand rifle to the intelligence operatives of the 2nd Marine Brigade in Brgy. Sanga-Sanga, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi at 7 AM, December 4, 2020,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.
Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. said that based on the report from the ground, Hanain operated under the late ASG sub-leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and was involved in the series of encounters against the military troops in Basilan and Sulu, particularly in Patikul area.
Hanain also participated in different kidnapping activities notable of which was the abduction of the following personalities; Rolando de Torchio, an Italian national, on October 7, 2014; Ewold Horn, a Holland national, on February 1, 2012; Yahong Chen from Isabela Basilan, on May 22, 2014; and Canadian nationals Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, Norwegian national Kjartan Sikkengstad, and Filipina Marites Flor, on September 21, 2015.
The surrendered personality is currently undergoing custodial debriefing at the 2nd Marine Brigade.
Meanwhile, another ASG/KFRG member laid down his arm and returned to the fold of the law on December 3, 2020.
Bennaser Pae, a.k.a. Binas, 27, married, and a resident of Brgy. Parangan, Panglima Sugala, Tawi-Tawi handed over his M16A1 rifle, one short magazine, and 33 live ammunitions of 5356mm to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-12.
Col. Arturo Rojas, Commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi said, “Bennaser Pae was recruited by the Sulu-based ASG/KFRG under ASGSL Guro Harife sometime in March 2012. He is a brother of ASG/KFRG member Roni Jumlaili Pae, a.k.a. Otoh Eron/Roni who surrendered to MBLT-12 last November 7, 2020.
“Due to the intensified operations conducted by the government troops in the province of Sulu, Bennaser and Roni decided to leave the ASG/KFRG sometime in October 2016 and returned to Tawi-Tawi,” said Col. Rojas.
The subject is undergoing custodial debriefing at the MBLT-12 headquarters and will subsequently be turned over to the local government of Panglima Sugala.
Moreover, a certain Ugali Alimudin, 33, married, and a resident of Sitio Sikawla, Brgy. Baldatal Islam, Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi also yielded to the government forces on December 2, 2020.
Onboard a ‘Jungkong’, Alimudin accompanied by two former ASG/KFRG members who previously surrendered to the 2nd Marine Brigade, submitted himself to the 36 Marine Company at the unit headquarters in Brgy. Poblacion, Sapa-Sapa, Tawi-Tawi.
Alimudin handed over his M14 rifle and one magazine loaded with two 7.62mm live ammunition.
“His companions were identified as Birong Sariol, a.k.a. Boy Master and Lahid Irin. Sariol is also a resident of Sitio Sikawla, Brgy. Baldatal Islam, Sapa-Sapa and a former ASG/KFRG member who surrendered to the 2MBde last April 2017, while Lahid Irin is a resident of Brgy. Timmudas, Pata, Sulu and also an ASG member who surrendered to government forces in Sulu on January 2020,” Col. Rojas stated.
Likewise, Alimudin was a companion of the late Odin Masihul, a.k.a. Baby/Bedi/Ombak.
Masihul was neutralized during a buy-bust operation conducted by the MBLT-6 and PDEA on November 20, 2019.
“The windfall of surrender demonstrates success in our efforts to end terrorism and lawlessness. We hope that more terror group members will decide to surrender and join us in achieving peace without killing each other,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. expressed.
(Source: Western Mindanao Command Facebook Page)