ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command revealed in Tuesday that at least 10 individuals believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group surrendered to authorities in Basilan and Sulu provinces and turned over their respective high-powered firearms.

AFP-WesMinCom acting commander Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas said that seven Sulu-based ASG and three others in Basilan province yielded to soldiers stationed in the two provinces on Friday.

Rojas said the seven surrendered to troops operating in Luuk town, Sulu while the three surrendered to the Naval Task Force 61 in Basilan province.

Joint Task Force-Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, in his report to Rojas, said the surrender of the seven former ASG was made possible through peaceful negotiation.

He added that the negotiation was initiated by the military intelligence community and the local government unit of Luuk.

The ASG members also turned over one M16A1 rifle, two Carbine rifles, three M1 Garand, and one caliber .38 cal. pistol to Brig. Gen. Giovanni Franza, Commander of the 1102nd Brigade at their headquarters in Barangay Tandu Bato.

Meantime, the ASG members in Basilan province were identified as Bero Ankun alias Abu Bero, Ridwan Jikiri alias Abu Paruk and Abdulgani Radjuli alias Ganih.

According to Rojas, the three turned over their high-powered firearms including two M16 rifles, ammunition magazines, and several rounds of M16 ammunition.

The military dossier record shows that the three were trusted followers of ASG sub leaders Radzmil Janatul, Pasil Bayali, and the late ASG leader Isnilon Hapilon.

They were also involved in kidnapping activities led by ASG leader Abugao Bayali and Juhaiver Alamsirul alias Abu Kik and were also working secretly with a foreign national terrorist in the province expert in bomb-making.