9 ASG members yield high-powered firearms

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — High-powered firearms were recovered by members of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army in Barangay Tandu Luuk, Sulu as nine members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group surrendered to government authorities recently.

In a statement from Major General Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force Orion of the 11th Infantry Division, he said that Brigadier General Giovanni Franza, commander of the 1102nd Infantry Brigade, recovered five Garand rifles, two M-16 rifles, one improvised caliber 50 Barret, and one KG-9 after the nine ASG members yielded.

Patrimonio said that the returnees were given food and grocery packs from the Ministry of Social Services and Development of Sulu after going back to the folds of the law. One surrenderee also known as Nazrun, 61, talked to the media and expressed his appreciation to the government after being a member of the terrorist group for almost 10 years. Nazrun was part of the ASG's medical team during his stint with the rebel group.

Patrimonio further said that many joined the ASG for different reasons and some of them are due to economic aspects, revenge, and sometimes pressure and encouragement of their relatives and kin. The army official vowed that he would ensure that the rebel returnees would enjoy all the benefits from the government that were due to them.