ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Task Force on Ending the Local Armed Conflict has provided assistance to 53 former Abu Sayyaf Group members to help them become productive citizens including their communities.

The distribution of assistance was held at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force Sulu in Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu on Thursday.

According to Joint Task Force Sulu civil-military operation chief Col. Alaric de los Santos BTF-ELAC through the Project TUGON (Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit) is a continuing commitment of the BTF-ELAC to help former ASG combatants back to their normal lives.

De los Santos said at least 53 former ASG combatants received initial cash assistance worth P5,000 each, grocery items, and two sacks of rice.

"We also conducted e profiling on the 53 ASG in order to determine the kind of livelihood assistance we can provide them," de los Santos added.

Atty. Marvin Mokamad, Chief of the Internal Affairs Services of the BARMM's Ministry of the Interior and Local Government said that "after the profiling, they will be trained to hone their potential skills and become productive citizens in their communities."

Mokamad emphasized, "We will ensure that no ASG combatants will be left behind."

Alakdan Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista Jr. expressed his profound gratitude to the BTF-ELAC for the support given to the former ASG members.

Bautista reiteratedhis call to the remaining ASG bandits to "go back to the folds of the law while they still have the chance and take the arm of peace."

Project TUGON is a manifestation that the government is always here to help you live normally and start anew, he said.