2 bandits surrender in Basilan
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two alleged Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered to the military in Basilan on Sunday.
Citing security reasons, the Army identified the two only by their aliases – Elong, 37, and Wakil, 32 – both followers of the late Abu Sayyaf leader Furuji Indama.
The bandits turned over two rifles to Lt. Col. Cyril Santander, chief of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion, during a ceremony in Barangay Campo Uno in Lamitan.
Officials and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front reportedly helped facilitate the surrender of the bandits, according to Maj. Andrew Linao, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
Linao said the surrenderees went into hiding after Indama was killed in a military operation in 2020.
“We continuously encourage those who are still hiding in the hinterlands of Basilan to come out,” Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. said.
Rosario said the Armed Forces of the Philippines and local government units would continue to assist Abu Sayyaf bandits who want to return to the fold of the law.
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