13 more Abu Sayyaf surrender in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Thirteen Abu Sayyaf members surrendered Saturday night to soldiers in a village in Talipao, Sulu, according to security officials.

The presence of the Abu Sayyaf initially caused tension until they declared they were surrendering peacefully.

They surrendered themselves and their firearms to Lt. Col. Jessie Montoya, commanding officer of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion about 9 p.m. at Barangay Samak, Talipao town, according to Brig. Gen. Rey Divino Pabayo, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.

Pabayo said those who surrendered promised to turn over more weapons after the initial processing at the Special Forces headquarters.

He said the latest surrender was caused by continuous military pressure coupled with allowing Abu Sayyaf members to surrender peacefully and avail of government services.

"This is a clear manifestation that we are achieving our goal of clearing Sulu Province from the menace of the ASG through peaceful means by giving them a better option and to reembrace the true essence of Islam," Pabayo said.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, welcomed the surrender of the Abu Sayyaf members and vowed to ensure they will get government support packages under the ‘Oplan Balik Loob’ program.

Dela Vega also urged those remaining Abu Sayyaf group members to surrender and avoid ongoing military operations.

Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Duterte visited Sulu and was presented with 70 former Abu Sayyaf members. He promised to provide assistance for those who voluntarily surrendered.

“We also urge the other remaining ASG members to do the same because there is nothing more fulfilling than to accomplish our mission without any bloodshed,” Dela Vega said