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October 10, 2000, ABS-CBN, 15 Abu rebels yield to military, Robot to follow,

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ZAMBOANGA, (ABS-CBN) - Following the surrender of five members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf rebels over the weekend, fifteen more yielded to the military's Task Force Strident on Tuesday morning.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Command (Southcom) spokesman General Generoso Senga said those who surrendered provided the government vital information as to the whereabouts of other extremist rebel groups fleeing the fierce military assault in Jolo, Sulu.

Senga also confirmed receiving surrender feelers from Abu Sayyaf leader Galib Andang, better known as Commander Robot.

The distraught rebels, who are based in Barangay Lumapid, Talipao, Sulu, are reportedly under the supervision of rebel leaders Commander Manahan and Mujib Susukan.

They surrendered through the help of a barangay captain and are undergoing tactical interrogation under the hands of the military in Sulu. Their names were not divulged.

The rebel surrenderees also yielded 11 M-16 armalite rifles and four garand rifles.

In an interview earlier Tuesday over DZMM radio, the AFP official revealed members of the bandit group are experiencing hunger and other harsh conditions in the mountains.

"Totoo yan nung Sabado ito nangyari nung umaga mayroong dalawang nag-surrender at kasama yung firearms na ginamit nila. After questioning nag-reveal sila na meron pa silang kasamahan na about 15 daw na nandoon na gusto talagang mag-surrender na rin dahil pagod na pagod na at talagang walang makain," Senga said.

["That's true that last Saturday, two members surrendered with their firearms. After the questioning, they revealed that they still have 15 comrades who want to follow suit because they are tired and have ran out of food."]

In the same interview, Senga likewise confirmed that the group of Commander Robot holding an American hostage, three Malaysians and a Filipino are still holed in Sulu.

"Yes, that is the assessment of Trident Commander Major Gen. Narciso Abaya. So he is confident that they are still there (Sulu)," he said.

In a recent report, the military claimed it has also finally cornered Abu Sabaya in Luuk town, Sulu.

AFP Southcom chief Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva said Sabaya has sent feelers for his surrender through emissaries and proper channels. 

ABS-CBN sources disclosed that Sulu Vice Governor Munib Estino has been tapped by the AFP to negotiate for the peaceful surrender of Sabaya. 

For his part, Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Nur Misuari asserted that Mujib Susukan and another rebel commander, Radullan Sajiron are willing to lay down their arms and surrender. 

He said last week that the two bandit leaders wish to have a dialogue with him and explore the possibility of talking peace with the government.

Medical care for evacuees
Meanwhile, a medical team from the Department of Health (DOH) arrived in Sulu on Monday to assess the health of evacuees from Jolo who remain housed in several evacuation centers in the province.

A five-man team headed by Dr. Lorenz Sabilo will check the health conditions of the evacuees, including the possibility that some may be suffering from psychosomatic disorders. This include problems such as insomnia due to the traumatic experience they had during the military assault in Sulu.

The team is also set to visit evacuation centers in Maimbung, Indanan, Talipao and Patikul.

Based on latest records from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the number of evacuees has reached over 82,000. 

However, less than half of this number are housed in the centers as most of the affected families have taken refuge in houses of relatives not affected by the military operations.

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stevenwarran

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on Dec 21, 12