Military to present Abu Sayyaf surrenderers to Duterte

JOLO, Sulu – The military said it would be presenting to President Rodrigo Duterte the 76 Abu Sayyaf bandits, who surrendered to authorities since last year, when the Chief Executive comes for a visit here Monday.

Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., the commander of Western Mindanao Command, also said 325 loose firearms yielded by civilian owners would likewise be presented to Mr. Duterte.

Sulu had an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 loose firearms, and some of these are in the hands of armed groups such as the Abu Sayyaf. /kga