Abu Sayyaf chief may surrender in 72 hours<\/p>\n
MANILA (DPA): A Philippine governor mediating for the
\nsurrender of a notorious Abu Sayyaf Group leader said on Saturday
\nthat Galib Andang may give himself up in 72 hours.<\/p>\n
Governor Luis Singson said Andang's plans are "okay" and the
\nmodalities for his and 17 of his followers' surrender are being
\nironed out by the military's southern command.<\/p>\n
Andang led a group that abducted 19 foreigners and two
\nFilipinos from a diving resort in Sabah, Malaysia in April last
\nyear. Andang's group also abducted several foreign and Filipino
\njournalists during the course of more than four months of
\nnegotiations.<\/p>\n
Most of Andang's victims were released upon payment of
\nmillions of dollars in ransom.<\/p>\n
National Security Adviser Roilo Golez, however, said the
\nPhilippine government will continue its military operations
\nagainst the Abu Sayyaf despite surrender feelers from Andang.<\/p>\n
"Military operations will continue. We will not allow (the Abu
\nSayyaf) to send (surrender) feelers just to ease military
\npressure. Military offensives will continue up to the last
\nminute," he said.<\/p>\n
The military has launched an "all-out war" against the Abu
\nSayyaf in Basilan province to rescue at least 25 hostages held by
\nthe group.<\/p>\n
Andang has denied being part of the Abu Sayyaf faction that
\nabducted 20 tourists including three Americans in the western
\nprovince of Palawan on May 27.<\/p>\n
Singson said Andang also known as Commander Robot, has sent an
\nemissary to talk to negotiate for his surrender. The bandit
\nleader has been planning to surrender since January, he added.<\/p>\n
Andang "is ready to return to the folds of the law. He only
\nwants to be assured that he will be treated well by the
\ngovernment," Singson said.<\/p>\n
In an interview Saturday, Singson said Andang had several
\nconditions for his and his followers' surrender, including
\namnesty.<\/p>\n
"I could not commit on anything from the government side. Our
\nonly agreement was they will be given their day in court and they
\nwill be given a lawyer to defend them," Singson said.<\/p>\n
Golez declined to comment on reports of Andang's conditions
\nbut said that Andang and his followers would be subject to the
\nrule of law.<\/p>\n
Andang has a 5-million-peso (98,000-dollar) bounty and is
\nfacing criminal charges in connection with the abduction in
\nSabah.<\/p>\n
"What they (Andang and his followers) asked was for me to be
\nthere when they surrender. To help our country, I agreed," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Singson said a professor from the state University of the
\nPhilippines and his wife are also acting as intermediaries for
\nAndang's surrender.<\/p>\n
Presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said the government
\n"trusts" Singson and is confident that the governor can help
\nresolve the hostage crisis.<\/p>\n
He added that Andang may be used by the government to talk to
\nan Abu Sayyaf faction that is holding at least 25 hostages
\ncaptive in Basilan province.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abu-sayyaf-chief-may-surrender-in-72-hours-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}