Two wanted Abu Sayyaf leaders among 11 to give up

TAWAU: Two Abu Sayyaf leaders high on the Malaysian police wanted list are among 11 gunmen who have surrendered to the Philippine military in Tawi Tawi Islands.

Their surrender comes after Tuesday’s killing of their leader Muamar Askali @ Abu Rami in a gunbattle in Bohol.

The two are sub-leaders Berong Sariol @ Boy Master and Ben Saudi Dambong Sariol @ Boy Pangit, 39.

Both have been involved in kidnappings in Sabah and were directly involved in the April 2, 2014 abduction of Chinese tourist Gao Hua Yuan and Filipina Marcy Darawan at Singamata Resort in Semporna waters.

The two hostages were released on May 30, 2014. Other Abu Sayyaf gunmen who surrendered were identified as Jasim Dambong, Muhil Dambong, Magelan Langal, Kael Sariol, Nurha­min Sariol, Alhan Sariol, Amnisain Sariol, Akmad Sariol, and Bensil Sariol.

The Philippine military’s joint task force led by Brig-Gen Custodio Parcon Jr said that the 11 surrendered themselves with their weapons in Tawi Tawi Islands at about 6pm on Wednesday.

“We expect to see more surrendering in the coming days,” Philippines chief of staff Gen Eduardo Año was quoted as saying at a press conference.

Abu Rami, who was in his late 20s, was seen in video clips of beheadings, including that of Sarawakian Bernard Then.

His group had slipped out of Jolo to Bohol following intensive military operations in their stronghold. Five other key leaders in Abu Rami’s group were also killed in the Bohol gunbattle.

Reports quoting Philippine sources identified one of the slain Abu Sayyaf gunmen as Jubail Umar @ Umayr, an associate of Malaysian terrorist Julkifli Hir @ Marwan who was killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao two years ago.

The others killed were Edimar Isnain, who was allegedly a trained bomber, Alpin Abbis Muharani, Hajan Astig and Husain Padog, all relatives of Jolo-based Abu Sayyaf supreme leader (Emir) Radulan Sahiron.