ZAMBOANGA CITY - Military forces have been ordered to strengthen their monitoring against the remaining members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu. Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, issued the order Tuesday after the movement of ASG members has been monitored in the hinterlands of Patikul, Sulu recently. Troops of the 6th Special Forces Battalion have recovered two high-powered firearms and other war materiel as well as personnel belongings while checking the reported presence of the ASG bandits on Sunday in Barangay Tanum, Patikul town. The ASG bandits hurriedly fled upon sensing the arrival of the government troops. "I directed all military units in the area to intensify further their monitoring in the direction of the fleeing enemies (ASG bandits) and establish blockade on their possible withdrawal routes," Gonzales said. Gonzales, who is also the Army's 11th Infantry Division (ID) commander, said the high-powered fir
ASG SURRENDERERS. Ten members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrender to government authorities Thursday (Oct. 28, 2021) in Talipao, Sulu. Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander (right), received a Garand rifle yielded by one of the surrenderers. (Photo courtesy of JTF-Sulu Public Affairs Office) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Ten members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrendered to government authorities in Talipao, Sulu, officials announced on Thursday. Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, identified the ASG surrenderers as Amil Isnain Jamih, Rado Wahing, Bellor Amad, Saburani Paduh, Alvin Jakkah, Nassir Bassal, Benajar Isnari, Cisar Killih, Abdunnur Alawi, and Fradzkan Sayyadi. Gonzales, who is also the 11th Infantry Division commander, said most of the surrenderers were followers of ASG leader Radulan Sahiron. They yielded six Garand rifles and a caliber .45 pistol. The surrenderers were presented to the Talipao Municipal Task Force to End