malaysiangFourteen Abu Sayyaf Group combatants and their supporters have surrendered to the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade (Bde) in Isabela City, Basilan province, an official said Thursday. Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, 101Bde commander, said the surrender Wednesday was made possible through the joint efforts of various military field units in the province. In a statement, Luzon said the group handed over two M14 rifles, five M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, two M79 grenade launchers, two Garand rifles, and a 9mm Intratec TEC-KG9 assault rifle during the surrender rites. Luzon also credited the support of the Basilan provincial police office and the local government units of Sumisip, Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Tipo-Tipo, and Lantawan for the achievement. Western Mindanao Command chief, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo, commended the former combatants for making the right decision. ‘Rest assured that we will help them to start anew through the reintegration programs of the government,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
