250 MILF rebels surrender

Two hundred forty one active members and nine commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) abandoned the armed struggle for a separate Muslim state in Mindanao and formally pledged allegiance to the government yesterday.

The ceremony was held at headquarters of the 4th Infantry division at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, in Cagayan de Oro City.

Major Gen. Cristolito Balaoing, commander of the 4th Infantry "Diamond" Division, said the rebels also turned over to the government 140 high-powered firearms, including five 60 mm mortars and two 40 mm M-79 grenade launchers.

According to Balaoing, the rebels who surrendered to the military by batches previously operated in Lanao del Norte and Cotabato City.

Balaoing said the MILF rebels surrendered to the military even before the government and the MILF agreed to reconvene for formal peace negotiations. The surrender was part of back-channeling efforts facilitated by Malacañang.

Among the prominent commanders who yielded to the authorities last June 15 was Commander Guiling Lucsadatu, alias Lucky 7, of the Bangsa Moro Islamic Armed Forces (BMIAF), whose men were operating in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Lucsudatu brought along with him his loyal followers including 44 firearms and explosives ranging from caliber .30 Garand rifles to carbines.

A relative, Commander Mudski, reportedly the major combatant and strike force of MILF leader Commander Axapala, and his loyal followers also surendered to Army troops.

Late last month, MILF leader Amano Gachalia, alias "Aman", along with his 15 field commanders and their firearms also surrendered to Army authorities in Lanao del Norte. Gachalia has served the MILF leadership for seven years.

In Lanao de Sur, Balaoing said that another batch of 31 MILF rebels headed by Commander Mosib Rama, MILF’s 501st Brigade Division commander, yielded to the Army authorities in the area.

In Cotabato City, 25 MILF rebels under Commander Tony Sumilalao Sapalon and MILF’s Brigade Commander Dante Dindo Adal, also yielded to the government troops and turned in 25 high-powered firearms on June 24 to Maj. Gen. Generoso Senga, Army Commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.