Friday, April 28, 2006

MILF Soldiers Yield In Southern RP

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 28 Apr) Two members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrendered to the military in the southern Philippines, ahead of the resumption of peace talks next month between the Filipino government and the country's largest Muslim separatist rebel group, officials said Friday.

Officials said the Suharto Samaon Dagandal, 26; and Abdul Karim Manalao, 25, surrendered voluntarily to the Army's 60th Infantry Battalion in the province of Compostela Valley, a known stronghold of the communist New People's Army (NPA).

"The duo are being interrogated, but we welcome their surrender and we expect more rebels to yield, especially those who wanted to return to the folds of the law and live peacefully with their families," said Lt. Col. Francisco Simbajon, a spokesman for the Army's 4th Infantry Division.

Simbajon did not when the two men surrendered, saying, interrogation is still going on. He said the two rebels, under the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces operating in eastern Mindanao, also surrendered two M16 automatic rifles. "They handed over the MILF weapons," Simbajon said.

Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, doubted whether the Dagadal and Manalao were MILF members. "We doubt if they are really MILF soldiers because there is no reason to surrender. There is a truce in Mindanao and there are peace talks between the MILF and the government, and the negotiations are strong," he said.

The military said the duo were natives of Asuncion town in Davao del Norte province and were under MILF leader Yasser Adona, chief of the BIAF's Eastern Davao Revolutionary Committee.

Last month, the military said at least 50 MILF rebels, led by Pendi Ampatuan and Ismael Pagiloyen, also surrendered in Maguindanao province, a known rebel stronghold. It said the rebels pledged their allegiance to the government.

But Kabalu disputed the military claim, saying, those who surrendered were former fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace agreement with Manila in September 1996.

Peace talks are expected to resume next month in Malaysia, which is brokering the negotiations.

Government and rebel negotiators are likely to discuss minor details on the issue of the so-called Muslim ancestral domain. The two groups reached an agreement in February on the ancestral domain, which refers to the MILF demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland.

The MILF said government and rebel peace negotiators have already agreed on several crucial issues, including the coverage of the ancestral domain in the five Muslim autonomous provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

And other areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces where there are large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes.

No comments: