36 Abu Sayyaf rebels arrested in military raids; 4 more surrender

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thirty-six suspected members of the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf have been captured by the Armed Forces’ Special Warfare Group during a raid in the island village of Luuk in Sulu, military officials said here yesterday.

The raid was part of intensified operations in islands near Sulu following reports that most Abu Sayyaf bandits had fled there to escape the government assault in the capital town of Jolo.

Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva, chief of the Southern Command, said the raiding team swooped down on a house in Sitio Pucad Manaol in Barangay Bulangsi, Luuk at 5 a.m. Friday following a tip on rebel presence.

"The troops caught the occupants by surprise. Thirty-six were arrested," Villanueva said.

The suspects – 19 adult males, 10 females and seven minors – have been turned over to Col. Gene Clemen of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 for tactical interrogation.

A total 83 fighters have been captured since the start of the military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf, which was responsible for the kidnapping of several foreign and Filipino hostages.

Villanueva said surveillance operations in the area have been intensified as part of efforts to rescue or recover five remaining hostages.

A few hours after the raid in Luuk, four Abu Sayyaf members surrendered to soldiers in Talipao and Maimbung towns, turning over their high-powered assault rifles. This brings to 34 the number of extremists who have laid down their arms.

Southcom spokesman Col. Hilario Atendido said the first two surrenderees were identified as Fairud Ansul and Bejuber Nilam. Both were followers of Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot.

The other two rebels, who yielded to the 4th Infantry Battalion Intelligence Group of Task Force Alpha in Barangay Bualo in Maimbung, were identified as Julpi Bin Lipac and Willie Alamia.