ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — A senior commander of the Abu Sayyaf extremist group blamed for bombings and kidnappings has surrendered in the southern Philippines, the defence chief said Thursday, expressing hope it would bring the “eventual collapse” of a key militant stronghold. Nurhassan Jamiri surrendered with 13 of his men to army forces in southern Basilan province on Wednesday. They handed over 10 assault rifles and a large cache of ammunition and were undergoing questioning, military officials said. The United States and the Philippines have blacklisted the Abu Sayyaf as a terrorist organization. But Philippine military officials said the militant was in Basilan at the time.

Source: National Post March 29, 2018 05:11 UTC