Two self-confessed members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group linked to the 2018 Lamitan City bombing have surrendered to authorities in Basilan, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said yesterday.
Major Arvin Encinas, spokesperson of the AFP Western Mindanao Command, identified the ASG rebels as Suwaib Mungkay, alias “Black,” and Nakib Asmad, alias “Halifa.”
Mungkay and Asmad yielded to elements of the 4th Special Forces Battalion and 19th Special Forces Company in coordination with the municipality of Hadji Mohammad Ajul last Thursday.
According to Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of Joint Task Force Basilan, the suspects were involved in the Lamitan City bombing on July 31, 2018.
A white van carrying explosives was flagged by members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit in a checkpoint at the boundary of Barangay Bulanting, Colonia, and Maganda in Lamitan City when it suddenly exploded.
The attack claimed the lives of 10 persons and the military considered the ASG as its primary suspect.
It was not immediately clear what was the participation of Mungkay and Asmad in the bombing.
Encinas said Mungkay and Asmad turned over an M1 carbine with magazine and five rounds of ammunition and a caliber .45 pistol loaded with four live bullets.
The suspects underwent custodial debriefing and were turned over to the local government unit of Hadji Mohammad Ajul for proper disposition.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Westmincom, encouraged other ASG members in the region to surrender and turn their backs on rebellious ways.
“As I always say, peace is a shared responsibility. I am happy that our partners and stakeholders are always there to support us in our peace campaigns,” he said. (Martin Sadongdong)