MANILA – A sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf group and nine of his men surrendered to the Philippine Army's 64th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan on Friday morning, the military said.

In a statement, the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) said sub-leader Bobong Mastul and his men surrendered due to the intensified campaign against lawlessness by Joint Task Force Basilan.

"We, the team Wesmincom, welcomes all those who wish to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law," said Wesmincom chief Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega.

The group also surrendered high-powered firearms including three M16 rifles, an M79 grenade launcher, a sub-machine pistol, a 5.56 mm carbine, an M1 Garand rifle, various magazines and ammunition, and assorted communication equipment.

They are still in the custody of the 64IB for profiling, custodial debriefing, and proper documentation of the firearms they turned over.

They will then be integrated with the "Balik-loob" program of the government.