412 rebels avail of amnesty

Koronadal City — Tiredness prompted some 412 rebels belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the New Peoples Army (NPA) based in South-Central Mindanao to lay down their arms and heed the amnesty offered by the government, an amnesty official said yesterday.

"They are tired of pursuing their respective armed struggle and fighting the government. They see that armed struggle can be pursued without the use of guns," Resureccion Salmorin, national amnesty commission peace program officer based in this city, said.

Salmorin disclosed that of the 412 rebels, 372 are members of the MILF, 33 are from the MNLF and 10 are CPP-NPA guerrillas.

She added that 135 were from North Cotabato, 230 from Maguindanao, three from Sarangani, 11 from Sultan Kudarat, 29 from Lanao Del Sur and seven from South Cotabato.

Rebels who surrender their firearms are entitled to receive P9,000 in cash and another P9,000 in the form of non-monetary assistance.

Under the government’s amnesty program, rebel returnees’ civil rights are revived immediately and their criminal liabilities condoned.

"They would be given chances to renew their lives and to live peacefully," she said.

The National Amnesty Commission in Koronadal City covers the SOCSARGEN growth area, Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur and North Cotabato provinces.