ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two individuals believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered in Basilan and Sulu provinces, respectively, and turned over their respective firearms to government security forces in the province.
Joint Task Force Sulu (JTF-Sulu) commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio identified one of the surrendered ASG gunman as Junjun, a resident of Barangay Panglayahan in Patikul, Sulu.
Alias Junjun also turned over an M79 grenade launcher to soldiers of the 20th headquarters of the Special Forces Company at Sitio Laum Ad, Barangay Bakung in Patikul.
He is believed to be one of the gunmen of ASG Sub-Leader Morasil Mudjahirin under the late ASG Leader Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan operating in Patikul, the home of the ASG in the province.
Over at Basilan, the other individual was identified as Totoh Akalun, who surrendered to Lt. Col. John Ferdinand Lazo, commanding Officer of the 64th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Barangay Tumahubong in Sumisip, Basilan province.
Akalun a resident of Barangay Upper Benembengan, Sumisip and was believed to be a member of the ASG under Pasil Bayali, alias Kera.
He also turned over a 12-gauge shotgun at the 64th IB headquarters.
Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. disclosed that the surrendered ASG gunmen will undergo the rehabilitation and reintegration programs prepared by the Regional and Provincial Governments in the area.