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.