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Philippine Military Hints of MILF Commander's Surrender
Military officials revealed Sunday that another ranking commander of the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has sent surrender feelers to the government.
Maj. Gen. Roy Cimatu said Abdul Rakman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, who has been held responsible for a spate of bombings in the southern island of Mindanao recently, has indicated willingness to yield to the authorities, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Cimatu claimed that from an estimated high of about 700 fighters,Macapaar's group has dwindled to only about 50 armed followers due to a successful military campaign in MILF-held territories.
He said it would be better for Bravo to surrender and return to live a peaceful life than fighting the government.
The MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in Mindanao for more than two decades.
Cimatu also urged other MILF rebels to avail of the government's amnesty program.
President Joseph Estrada, in his latest move to convince the MILF to return to the negotiating table, announced the grant of amnesty late last month.
But the MILF, which suspended peace talks with the government after the military captured its headquarters in Mindanao in early July,rejected the amnesty offer, calling it a part of government's divide-and-rule tactics.
However, a group of 609 MILF fighters led by Commander Lupay surrendered to the government last week, the biggest single group of MILF fighters to surrender
They also yielded 400 high-powered firearms and in exchange they were paid a total of 2.6 million pesos (about 56,000 U.S. dollars)under a government program.
President Estrada also handed checks totaling 6.83 million pesos(about 147,000 dollars) representing emergency cash assistance and livelihood assistance for the returnees who will put up cooperatives in their respective areas.
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