AN ABU Sayyaf Group member has surrendered in the wake of a continuing offensive by government troops against the bandits in the hinterlands of Sulu, a military official announced Tuesday, February 12.
Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, identified the Abu Sayyaf surrenderer as Basari Sali, 60, allegedly a follower of Radulan Sahiron, the one-armed and senior bandit leader based in Sulu.
Besana said Sali surrendered on Sunday, February 10, and turned over a Garand rifle to the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu (PMRF-S) in the municipality of Panamao, Sulu.
Sali was brought to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for medical check-up prior to turnover to the Joint Task Force Sulu for proper disposition.
Besana said the surrender of Sali was facilitated by the local government officials of Panamao.
