1,000 MILF rebels to surrender

Apparently disappointed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), at least 1,000 members are scheduled to surrender by the end of the month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Deputy Director General Virtus Gil, PNP deputy director for operations, said the government is now processing the documents of the prospective MILF returnees, who have started to turn over their firearms to the authorities.

The surrender came as the MILF lost its titular head Hashim Salamat, who reportedly died of heart attack last month. He was replaced by Murad Ibrahim, former vice chairman of military affairs.

Gil said the new batch of MILF returnees are from Maguindanao and Cotabato and are occupying "high-ranking" position although not in the level of commanders.

"They know that their fight is going nowhere," Gil said.

MILF members who will return to the fold of law will be awarded P4,500 and half a sack of rice, apart from the corresponding amount for each firearm they will turn over to the Armed Forces.

An M-16 rifle, Gil said, commands a reward of P12,000 under the "Balik Baril" program. — Christina Mendez