Private armed group in Tawi-Tawi dismantled

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A private armed group in Sitangkai town in Tawi-Tawi has been dismantled following the surrender of its leader and members.

Adurahman Ladja and his men Mabbul Amil, Said Asmad, Muktar Hussin, Aljiber Ibrahim, Mannen Talikan and Assi Tawasil surrendered at the headquarters of the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) in Barangay Poblacion on Tuesday, Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said.

Verceles said intelligence reports showed that the group had served as security escorts of Sitangkai Mayor Tiblan Ahaja and Vice Mayor Serbin Ahaja.

The guns turned over by the private armed group were placed under the custody of the PMFC for safekeeping and disposition.

The surrender came in the wake of President Marcos’ call for a crackdown on private armies and illegal firearms following the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

The President called on the police to determine “hot spots,” similar to what is done during election season.

22 BIFF, 3 Abu bandits surrender

Meanwhile, 22 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, nine of them bomb experts, and three Abu Sayyaf bandits surrendered, also on Tuesday.

The BIFF men turned over assorted guns and bomb components during ceremonies held at Camp SK Pendatun in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, said the surrenderees were from BIFF units in Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur.

In Sulu, Abu Sayyaf bandits Rizal Kari, Edimar Lakibul and a certain Alhallil, whose leaders were involved in the Sipadan and Basilan kidnappings, surrendered in Talipao.

The three received cash and rice assistance from the military and Talipao municipal government.