11 MILF rebels surrender – military

Apparently getting tired of being constantly on the run, 11 guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have decided to give up their fight and return to the fold of law and be with their families, the military said yesterday.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling Jr. said the 11 rebels, led by Silhani Sampang of the MILF’s 2nd Battalion, 42nd Brigade of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), surrendered to the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion at their headquarters in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan.

Aside from Sampang, the surrenderees are Nager Swaring, Arasad Julli, Abeh Sampang, Kuwait Sampang, Ahmad Sampang, Ussin Sampang, Sali Aman, Zaldi Jikiri, Aksan Sampang and Hamjarul Sali.

The surrenderees turned over several high powered firearms and ammunition to government troops, Army spokesman Lt. Col. Joselito Kakilala said.

Kakilala said the surrender was brokered by businessmen and local officials in Barangays Tambunan and Tuburan where the rebels were said to be operating.

The military said the surrenderees are now undergoing tactical interrogation.

Authorities earlier claimed a number of rebels are getting disgruntled and disappointed with the way the MILF leaders are conducting the war against the government.

Several fighters of the MILF have sent surrender feelers but are being prevented by their hardline comrades.

Although the MILF extended unilateral 10-day ceasefire until June 22, the separatist guerrillas continued to clash with the military.

Despite the ceasefire, the military said MILF rebels have planted land mines around the soldiers’ patrol area near the military detachment in Barira, Maguindanao.

Officials said the rebels also planted land mines along paths in Sitio Bomberan, Barangay Tugaig near Camp Iranon of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion.

The military said the land mines were fashioned out of rocket-propelled grenades. Troops discovered some of the land mines and immediately issued an alert for other hidden explosives in the area.

But MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the land mines were planted by the military to sabotage the extension of their ceasefire.

"They really want to make it appear we are not sincere in our call," Kabalu said.