15 Abu Sayyaf bandits surrender in Sulu
MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered in Sulu last month amid sustained military offensives.
Joint Task Force Sulu commander Maj. Gen. William Gonzales said the bandits also turned over 12 guns of various calibers.
He said some of the surrenderees were family members of slain sub-leader Abu Talha, an expert in bomb-making and a liaison of the Islamic State to the Abu Sayyaf.
Gonzales said another sub-leader of the group, Ibrahim Asara, turned himself in to authorities.
Asara was tagged in the kidnapping of journalist Ces Drilon and her crew in Maimbung town in 2008.
Two followers of slain sub-leader Amah Maas under the group of the late Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan surrendered on Thursday.
The two were presented to Brig. Gen. Benjamin Batara, commanding officer of 1103rd Infantry Brigade, in Barangay Bonbon, Patikul.
He said two M1 Garand rifles and ammunition were recovered from the two militants who were not identified for security reasons.
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