Basilan ASG members wave white flag
Luzon declined to identify the 12 insurgents but disclosed that most of them were former followers of notorious leaders of ASG operating in Basilan province
Luzon declined to identify the 12 insurgents but disclosed that most of them were former followers of notorious leaders of ASG operating in Basilan province
ISABELA, Basilan — The Philippine Army on Wednesday reported that at least 12 individuals believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group operating in Basilan surrendered to state troops in Barangay Tabiawan here.
101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade commander Brig. Gen Alvin Luzon narrated that the 12 former ASG gunmen voluntarily surrendered to the soldiers with their firearms at Camp Luis Biel in Barangay Tabiawan on Tuesday morning.
Luzon presented the former ASGs to Joint Task Force-Orion Maj Gen Commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio during a simple rites held inside the 101st Brigade headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan.
However, Luzon declined to identify the 12 insurgents but disclosed that most of them were former followers of notorious leaders of ASG operating in Basilan province.
He also presented the high-powered firearms that the insurgents turned over to Patrimonio in the presence of some stakeholders in the province who were present during the presentation of the 12 former ASG members.
Patrimonio warmly joined Luzon in welcoming the 12 former ASG as they both vowed to help them avail of the government assistance and opportunities being offered by the government to those who returned to the folds of the law.
"These 12 former ASGs who surrender to us are former followers of some notorious ASG leaders operating before in the province," Luzon said. "Some of these (ASG) who are still in hiding will surrender to us in the coming days through the help of the local government units in the province."
The 101st Brigade commander also said that his command targets early next year to make Basilan province an "ASG-free province."
