ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine military said an Abu Sayyaf militant has surrendered in Basilan, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao.
Omaidi Salain also surrendered his M16 automatic rifle to the 74th Infantry Battalion over the weekend in Tuburan town, but was only announced Monday.
Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said Salain was included in the military’s terror list. “Salain was formerly listed number 6 of other identified personalities in the Periodic Status Report of Basilan-based ASG / Urban Terrorist Group,” he said, adding, the militant will undergo investigation.
He said Salain confessed to have surrendered to avail of the government amnesty program which has been promised by President Rodrigo Duterte. “We hope that more Abu Sayyafs will decide to lay down their arms and choose to live a peaceful life. Rest assured they will be provided with livelihood programs to support their basic necessities,” Dela Vega said.
Seven other militants also surrendered recently in Sulu province, also in the autonomous region, and in Zamboanga City. Five Abu Sayyaf fighters, Utong Hatib Insah, Bensar Hatib Insah, Akag Hatib Insah, Kajang Uro and Atim Mandangan, surrendered to Mayor Samier Tan, of Maimbung town in Sulu.
The militants handed over their rifles to Tan and Lt. Col. Martin Daiz Jr, of the 41st Infantry Battalion. The military said the 5 Abu Sayyaf members returned to the fold of the law also to take advantage of the government’s amnesty program and live peacefully with their families.
Two other Abu Sayyaf fighters, identified only through their aliases Iddoh and Pogie, also yielded to the military in Zamboanga City over the weekend. The duo surrendered their rifles to Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of Joint Task Force Zamboanga; and Colonel Teofilo Bailon Jr, of the Philippine Air Force. (Mindanao Examiner)
20
