JOLO, Sulu — Ten members of the Abu Sayyaf Group separately surrendered to soldiers of the Philippine Army in Indanan and in Kalingalan Caluang towns in this province and turned over their respective firearms as a gesture of their sincerity in returning to the folds of the law.

Joint Task Force Sulu Commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio said yesterday eight former ASGs surrendered to the 1103rd “Kalis” Infantry Brigade in Camp Bud Datu, Barangay Tagbak, Indanan and the other two surrendered to the 1102nd Infantry “Ganarul” Brigade in Kalingalan Caluang on Wednesday.

Patrimonio declined to identify the 10 former ASG who surrendered to the state government forces and the kind and caliber of firearms they turned over to the government.

Patrimonio hinted that the “firearms are assault rifles and of high caliber.”

The  surrender, he said, was made possible by the collaborative efforts of local government units and the security sector.

Patrimonio emphasized, “this is a clear manifestation that we are achieving our common goal of inclusive peace and sustainable development in the province.”

He assured the remaining ASG that “with our active collaboration with the local government units of Sulu, we will assist you, (the ASG returnees) in availing the government programs which could benefit them and  their families.”

The security landscape of Sulu is continuously improving with the military and 18 local government units of Sulu continue to plea the remaining ASG to return to the folds of the law and avail of the government program designed for them.

Patrimonio  called on the ASG to lay down their arms and live peacefully with their families while they still can.

Since  January of this year, a total of 59 ASG members voluntarily surrendered to the JTF Sulu bringing along with them 33 firearms.