Bravo followers surrender

Fugitive Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo continues to lose his followers as six more of his former men surrendered to the military early this week in Lanao del Sur, a spokesman said yesterday.

Citing belated reports, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief identified the six MILF rebels as Cosain Asis, Usman Mipangcat, Abdul Mosis, Asad Mosis, Naga Buatan and Abolcair Maded.

Torres said the rebels used to be with the 101st Base Command of the MILF, which was formerly under Macapaar’s control.

The six surrendered on Monday to the army’s 65th Infantry Battalion, which was based in Barangay Gadungan in Madalum town in the said province.

They also brought with them three M14 7.62 caliber rifles, four M1 Garand rifles, a .30 caliber carbine, an M79 grenade launcher and a rocket-propelled grenade.

They will undergo tactical interrogation, which could result in the extraction of vital information that could lead to Macapaar’s capture or neutralization.

The rebels, according to Torres decided to return to the fold of the law after encountering hardships in the mountains, including their commander’s failure to give their monthly allowances.

“The surrender was facilitated through negotiations and intelligence buildup. When they surrendered, they brought their firearms, which is a big gain for us and big blow to the lawless MILF groups,” he said.

The surrender also indicates that the rebels have lost their sympathy for their former leader, who is still being pursued by government forces in the said province, Torres said.

It would be recalled that on Jan. 31, 10 of Macapaar’s followers, including one of his lieutenants surrendered to the military in Lanao del Norte.

They also surrendered their high-powered firearms that include a rocket propelled grenade, two B40 anti-tank rockets, an M16 rifle, eight M1 Garand rifles and assorted ammunition.

Col. Benito De Leon, chief of the Army’s 104th infantry Brigade said that the 10 volunteered to provide information that would lead to Bravo’s capture.