12 extremists surrender in RP

12 extremists surrender in RP

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Twelve members of the extremist
Moslem armed group Abu Sayyaf surrendered to local officials in
the southern Philippines, a military official said yesterday.

The Abu Sayyaf members, who were believed responsible for
terrorist bombings and kidnappings of foreign missionaries,
surrendered to officials in Jolo island late Wednesday and were
turned over to the Navy early yesterday, Southern Command chief
Lt. Gen. Orlando Soriano told reporters.

The 12 extremists, mostly in their 20s, denied taking part in
the massacre of 15 Christians kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in the
southern island of Basilan in June, and the attempted abduction
of American Roman Catholic missionary Clarence Bertelsman in Jolo
last month, Soriano said.

They, however, admitted they were security escorts of Abu
Sayyaf leader Abdurajak Janjalani, whom they said had fooled them
into joining the group.