Abu Sayyaf Group Member Yield to Government Forces in Basilan

 

By PIO, WESMINCOM

 A member of the Abu Sayyaf Group surrendered to the troops of the Joint Task Force Basilan under Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway on February 1, 2022. 50-year-old Ismael Ladjatua alias Maing/Abu Macca from Barangay Townsite, Maluso, Basilan yielded at the Joint Task Force Basilan Headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, same province at about 1:30 in the afternoon Tuesday.

 According to Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, the surrendered personality was a follower of the late Isnilon Hapilon. He handed over one Carbine rifle with magazine and five live ammunition to Brig. Gen. Gobway.

 Ladjatua surrendered after realizing that senseless violence is not the solution to poverty. Also, he got tired of hiding from the government forces. Subject personality relayed that he was forcibly recruited by the ASG at his former residence in Barangay Canibungan, Lantawan, same province when he was 25 years old. In 2017, he migrated to Malaysia to work as construction helper. He decided to return to Basilan last January 10 after five years of hiding in Malaysia. He then sought assistance for his surrender.

 Brig. Gen. Gobway expressed his gratitude to the surrendered personality for entrusting himself to the JTF Basilan. “We will assist him as he starts a new life with his family,” the Task Force Commander said.

 The surrender of Ladjatua is a result of the strong collaboration of JTF Basilan and 101st Infantry Brigade with the MILF-CCCH and the intelligence units. Surrendered personality is currently under the custody of the 101st Infantry Brigade for proper disposition.

 “It is evident that our troops are doubling their efforts to encourage surrender among the bandits,” Lt. Gen. Rosario, Jr. said. “This recent accomplishment only proves that the landscape in the area has totally changed.”

 “ I am elated with this development, and I commend our soldiers and those who are helping and assisting them to achieve these successes,” the WestMinCom Commander added.

 Since January this year, six abus already surrendered to the government forces with most of them also turning over their firearms and ammunition. Ladjatua is the first Abu Sayyaf Group member who surrendered in Basilan while the five others yielded in Sulu.