Six former MILF members surrender to authorities in Metro Manila

By Ronron
November 20, 2007

Six former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Special Operations Group (MILF-SOG) have surrendered to authorities separately in June and last November 18, officials of the military unit in Metro Manila said Tuesday.

Army 1Lt. Garysande Mamaludin, information officer of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), said Salik Kusain alias Aguila, Ams Kamin, Ibrahim Malacao, and Amed Mayang surrendered last June, while Nurodin Naga and Suwaib Reposumonsang turned themselves in last November 18.

All six were presented to the media yesterday morning at Camp Karingal, Quezon City, together with the firearms they surrendered.

NCRCOM chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said he was not immediately aware when the group came to Metro Manila from Maguindanao but he said authorities first had contact with them in April of this year.

The former rebels were residing in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila City.

“They were monitoring possible targets for terrorism,” Mamaludin said when asked of the activity of the six prior to their surrender.

“When they arrived here, they surely have a task. But when they arrived, we had coordinated with them. And through that dialogue, we had a good exchange of views. And finally, they realized that it is much better to return to the fold of the law,” Mesa added.

The group surrendered the following when they gave up: Two M16 rifles, one Thompson gun, two caliber 38 revolver, one homemade shotgun with six ammunitions, two long and one short magazines for M16 with 55 rounds of ammunitions, and three magazines for Thompson.

Mesa said they did not immediately disclose the surrender of the six before the media because follow up operations were conducted to verify if they still have other companions.

“The surrender of these former rebels greatly contributed to the reduction of potential threats to the security of the entire National Capital Region,” Mesa said.

The government is currently talking with the MILF, the largest secessionist group in the country./DMS