308 Rebels Surrender to Authorities in Southern Philippines

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 10, 2002

308 Rebels Surrender to Authorities in Southern Philippines

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A total of 308 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the biggest separatist group in the Philippines, have given themselves up under a government amnesty over the past few weeks, the military said Thursday.

Among those who surrendered were four senior MILF commanders, military spokesman Major Johnny Macanas said, adding that these MILF defectors also turned in 230 pieces of firearms.

Most of these rebels deserted their commanders in the front-lines during peace negotiations with the government, and many of them have also applied to join a civilian paramilitary force controlled by the army.

"We will teach the rebels to be responsible citizens. They are tired of war and they want to help the government to bring about peace in the south," Macanas told reporters.

The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines since 1978 when the group broke away from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), alarger separatist group in the south.

The MILF was not included in a peace pact that the MNLF and thegovernment inked in 1996. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched peace talks with the MILF soon after she took over the presidency in early 2001, which resulted in an ceasefire early this year.

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