LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — Three Abu Sayyaf members, all relatives of Isnilon Hapilon, the slain leader of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia, surrendered to government forces in Basilan early this week.
Lieutenant Colonel Jonas Templo, commander of the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion, said Ben Salim Sapilin alias Been Sapilin, an alias Attik, 23, and Mohammad Endeng alias Aburayhan, 22, all cousins of Hapilon, gave up Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Macalang, Al-Barka town.
Hapilon was killed, along with Omar Maute, Monday in Marawi City.
The two led extremist gunmen who had battled government forces since May 23. With their deaths, the government declared Marawi liberated.
Since January this year, the government said 123 Abu Sayyaf members have surrendered in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.