12 Sayyaf bandits surrender in Basilan

ISABELA, Basilan, Philippines — Four days after an Abu Sayyaf subleader and bomb expert was killed in an encounter with government security forces, 12 bandits surrendered yesterday to the military in this city.

The surrenderees turned over assault rifles, grenade launchers and a submachine gun to Joint Task Force Orion chief Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio and 101st Brigade chief Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon at Camp Luis Biel in Barangay Tabiawan.

“Let’s forget about their association with their group. What matters is they are here and ready to cooperate with us as well as join the mainstream society,” Luzon said.

“We have neutralized Mundi, the Abu Sayyaf subleader and bomb expert, here in Basilan. The surrender will continue until the province is free from the bandits. That is the main objective of our Joint Task Force Orion commander,” he added.

Luzon was referring to Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, alias Mundi, who escaped from Sulu and hid in Basilan since March.

Mundi was about to leave Basilan in a motor boat when he was killed off the coast of Tuburan town on Saturday night.

Luzon said the 12 surrenderees were followers of the late Abu Sayyaf subleaders Radzmil Janatun and Furuji Indama.

He gave assurance that the surrenderees would receive government assistance through the enhanced comprehensive integration program.

Patrimonio commended the surrenderees for choosing the path to peace.

He said an additional army battalion would be deployed to complete the Army’s mission to clear Basilan of Abu Sayyaf bandits.