ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine military on Sunday urged anew the Abu Sayyaf, which has forged ties with the Islamic State (IS), to surrender peacefully and return to the fold of the law, after 13 of its fighters surrendered in the southern province of Sulu.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the militants surrendered late Saturday to the 2nd Special Force Battalion under Lt. Col. Jessie Montoya, in Samak village in Talipao town.