54 MILF rebels surrender

SALVADOR, Lanao del Norte, Philippines – Fifty-four Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels surrendered recently to the Philippine Army here following continuous operations conducted by the military which indicated that the rebel forces had weakened.

Major General Romeo Lustestica, commanding general of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” said the 54 rebels also turned in 39 high-powered firearms to the Philippine Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Jones Agustin.

The rebels led by Kayamana Mangilala, alias “Kalayaan” of the MILF 1st Battalion 302nd Base command and his sub-commander Minalang Mapandi, alias “Batman” and their men turned over the high-powered firearms that included seven M1 garand rifles, two M16, one M203, one 30 caliber Browning Automatic Rifle, one M2 carbine and one M14, among others. – Lino de la Cruz