FOUR barangay security volunteers surrendered to the military for the killing of a soldier, two militiamen, and a civilian in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan last Friday, the military reported yesterday.
Maj. Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), said the four, all members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, surrendered on Sunday afternoon to the Army’s 4th Special Forces Battalion in Isabela City, also in Basilan.
Encinas said Karim Manisan, 31, Saham Mohammad, 45, Lito Manisan, 45, and Ayatula Mohammad, 40, handed over four high-powered firearms — two M16 rifles, an M14 rifle, and an M1 carbine — with several magazines and ammunition during their surrender.
The four are being blamed for the killing of Cpl. Mark Anthony Monte, militiamen Samy Akay and Alibasa Antaas, and civilian Kong Uging in Barangay Bohe Lebbung and the wounding of four other militiamen and civilians in Tipo-Tipo town last Friday.
Military officials earlier said the motive of the attack was “personal grudge” between Monte and Karim Manisan, a nephew of the chairman of Barangay Bohe Lebbung.
Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg, commander of the military’s Joint Task Force Basilan, said “relentless (pursuit) efforts” of the 4th Special Forces Battalion and 18th Infantry Battalion “pressured” the suspects to yield.
“According to the suspects, they are aware of the charges filed against them and they are ready to face the consequences of their actions,” said Reyeg.
The military turned over the four suspects to the local police for further investigation.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Wesmincom commander, said the military will continue to assist the PNP in the conduct of law enforcement and security operations to thwart lawlessness in the province.
