Five Abu Sayyaf Members Surrender Following Philippine Church Bombing

MANILA (Reuters) – A senior operative of the Abu Sayyaf group, along with four of his associates, surrendered to authorities over the weekend, as confirmed by the national police chief on Monday.

Kammah Pae, who is allegedly connected to an Indonesian couple involved in the suicide bombing on January 27, handed himself over to government forces, according to Oscar Albayalde.

“He was compelled to surrender,” Albayalde stated during a media briefing. “He likely feared for his life during the military operations.”

During a clash on Saturday in Patikul, a town located in the province of Sulu, Philippine troops engaged in a firefight that resulted in the deaths of three suspected Abu Sayyaf members, while five soldiers were also killed as they pursued those responsible for the church attack.

Albayalde noted that Kammah has denied any involvement in the dual bombings at the Jolo cathedral, which resulted in 23 fatalities, including both civilians and military personnel. However, eyewitnesses claim he was seen escorting the Indonesian couple prior to the attack.

Additionally, security personnel discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) and bomb-making materials at his residence, as mentioned by Albayalde.

The group of five suspects will face multiple charges of murder, among other accusations. However, the investigation into the church bombing, which occurred in an area known to be an Abu Sayyaf stronghold, is still ongoing, Albayalde emphasized.

Abu Sayyaf is a militant organization infamous for its involvement in kidnappings and extremist activities, having pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

“There is still a significant amount of evidence that must be thoroughly analyzed,” Albayalde added.

Earlier, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had suggested that the bombings might have been perpetrated by suicide attackers. Initially, military and police reports indicated that the explosives inside and outside the church appeared to be detonated remotely. However, shortly after, Duterte’s interior minister, Eduardo Ano, announced that the suicide bombing was conducted by an Indonesian couple with assistance from Abu Sayyaf.

This assertion aligns with a claim of responsibility made by the Islamic State’s Amaq news agency.