THE Armed Forces of the Philippines said eight Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members surrendered to state troops in Sulu on Thursday morning, March 31. Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said they were presented to the members of Talipao Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict at Talipao Municipal Hall, Barangay Bilaan, Talipao, Sulu. The former ASG members also surrendered their firearms which include six M1 Garand rifles and one M16 rifle. Patrimonio said five were followers of ASG sub-leader Idang Susukan while the others were former followers of Radullan Sahiron. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino lauded the troops for their effort in reducing the ASG's strength and addressing the violent extremism in Western Mindanao.
