Killer of missionary surrenders

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The suspected killer of Irish missionary priest Fr. Rufus Halley surrendered to the military Thursday along with his five sub-commanders and 57 followers, the 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division said yesterday.

Maj. Johnny Macanas, 4th ID spokesperson, said Dimasangkay Dimauga, 35, and his men "surrendered to the 67th Infantry Battalion headed by Maj. Francisco Balabad bringing with them their 57 high-powered firearms."

Dimauga is a commander of the secessionist rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He was accused as the triggerman in the fatal shooting Halley in Malabang town, Lanao del Sur on Aug. 28, 2001, when the motorcycle-riding priest resisted their attempt to kidnap him.

The MILF has denied having Dimauga as a commander. The front also described him and his men as mere mercenaries.

"Everytime a band of MILF surrenders, the front leadership automatically disowns them. It’s no longer surprising," Macanas said.

He identified the other surrenderees as sub-commanders Mamalandok alias Rambo; Tungkoguro alias Matanog; Hadji Jabdulah Dumato; Bodi Maro alias Bin Muslim, Diaw Lando and Abel Anaon alias Gumogubat. These men were operating in the Lanao del Sur municipalities of Marugong, Lumbatan and Tuburan.

They also surrendered four M14s, one M16, two RPGs, 10 Carbines, 22 M79s, seven Garand rifles, a submachine gun, a .45 caliber Thompson, 2 shotguns, 2 .45 pistols, 4 caliber 22 rifles and 2 V40s. — Bong