ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Army’s 11th Infantry Division (ID) and the provincial government of Sulu are finalizing arrangements for a formalized deradicalization and rehabilitation program for Abu Sayyaf surrenderees.
Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, 11ID commander, issued the statement as members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) continue to surrender in the province of Sulu.
The latest was the surrender of four Abu Sayyaf bandits last Saturday to the two operating units of the 11ID, the 1101st and 1102nd Infantry Brigades.
Gonzales said that he and Tan are planning to construct a halfway house, introduce livelihood programs and scholarships for the children of former ASG members.
“I myself and Governor Tan directly coordinated with OPAPP (Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. on how to effectively implement these programs. This is important so all can start anew and Sulu can continue towards peace and development,” Gonzales said citing the OPAPP is downloading funds for the purpose.
Meanwhile, disunity and lost of leaders have pushed the four Abu Sayyaf bandits to surrender last Saturday to military authorities in Sulu.
Two of the four who surrendered were followers of Abu Sayyaf senior leader Radulan Sahiron while the other two of the late bandit sub-leader Hairulla Asbang and the late bandit sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Bautista, Jr., 1101st Infantry Brigade commander, said the followers of Sahiron surrendered and turned over two high-powered firearms through the efforts of 100th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Alex Gagula.
Col. Benjamin Batara, 1102nd Infantry Brigade commander, said troops of the 6th Special Forces Battalion led by Lt. Col. Rafael Caido facilitated the surrender of the other two Abu Sayyaf bandits.
He said that the series of intercessions in connection with the continuous campaign effort of the local government of Patikul and the Army units in the area also pushed them to peacefully surrender. – Nikolai Gonzalo
