A total of ten (10) individuals surrendered to government authorities in Seit Lake, Poblacion l, Panamao Sulu on 23-April-2021. According to reports, of the ten (10) individuals, four (4) were identified to be regular members of the terrorist group under ASG sub-leader SABSIBAR BENCIO, and the others were ASG supporters, who are identified as: Marisa Marajan 35 years old, wife of ASGSL Sansibar Bencio; Maybat Saliddin – a 60 year old, mother of ASGSL Sansibar Bencio; and Arnylyn Aburaja 20, wife of ASG member Sikal Hussein; and three others.

The ceremony was presided by COL HERNANIE S SONGANO PN(M)(GSC) the Commander of Naval Task Group Sulu and concurrently the Commander of 4th Marine Brigade. It was facilitated by MBLT-1 under its OIC, MAJ JOHN A DELA CRUZ PN(M)(GSC). The ceremony was also witnessed by Hon. Alfraizer S Abdurajak, Municipal Mayor of Panamao, and the barangay chairmen of Barangay Kan Asaali and Barangay Bangday.

Those who surrendered turned over several firearms including three M16 rifles with 2 long magazine loaded with sixty 5.56mm rounds of ammunition, two Cal 45 pistols with defaced serial numbers, one M14 rifle with defaced serial number, and one M1 Garand rifle with SN 1688805.

Before the ceremony, those who surrendered were taken to Panamao District Hospital for medical check-up.

The collective peace-building efforts of the Marine Units together with the Local Government Unit of Panamao played a vital role in their surrender with the hope that others will follow their lead. Terrorism should end so that the government can focus on peace and development efforts not only in the 2nd District of Sulu but also in the whole province, COL Songano said.

Source: NAVFORWESMIN on Facebook