(Eagle News) –Three members of the Abu Sayyaf– including a relative of Isnilon Hapilon–have surrendered to authorities in Basilan.
Joint Task Force Basilan Commander Col. Juvymax Uy said Ben Salim Sapilin, alias Ben Bilog, Hapilon’s cousin; Rami Ben Sapilin, alias Attik; and Mohammad Endeng, alias Aburayhan; turned themselves in to the 74th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jonas Templo at the 74th Infantry Battalion headquarters on Tuesday.
The surrender came a day after Abu Sayyaf leader Hapilon was killed in government operations in Marawi.
Apart from Hapilon, Maute terrorist leader Omar Maute was killed.
The two terrorist groups, authorities said, teamed up to overrun Marawi in May in a bid to establish an Islamic State caliphate in Mindanao.
Recovered from the three Abu Sayyaf members were an M79 grenade launcher, an M1 Garand and an M16 rifle.
In a text message to reporters, Uy urged the remaining Abu Sayyaf members to surrender.
“Inaanyahan namin (sila) na mgbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at tumungo sa daan ng kapayapaan,” Uy said.