12 bandits surrender in Sulu
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Twelve alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered to the military in Talipao, Sulu on Friday.
The bandits, some of whom are followers of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron, turned over 11 firearms to the Army’s 1101st Infantry Brigade based in Barangay Bud Bayug, according to Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, deputy commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu.
One of the bandits was reportedly a follower of a leader of the Islamic State who died as a suicide bomber. The rest were followers of Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders killed in military operations.
A surrenderee, identified as Tex, told authorities that he had been with the group of Sahiron for 10 years before he decided to lie low for fear that he might be killed in an encounter as the military has intensified the campaign against terrorists.
Task Force Sulu chief Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio lauded the troops for facilitating the surrender of the bandits.
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