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Friday, August 22, 2008
31 MILF rebels yield, turn over 8 firearms
DAVAO CITY -- Thirty-one followers of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdullah Saber Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo surrendered to the military Wednesday night.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has stepped up its operations against rogue MILF rebels responsible for recent atrocities against the civilians and security forces in Central Mindanao for the past weeks.
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Brigadier General Mark Antonio Supnet of the Army’s 104th Brigade said the surrenderees from Barangay Rogongon in Iligan City were led by MILF's 14th Brigade Commander Alvin Cunto.
Cunto said he and his members decided to return to the folds of the law for fear that Kumander Bravo would run after them for not following his order to kill civilians during their rampage in Kauswagan on August 18.
He added that he refused to abide by Kumander Bravo's order since it was against Islamic teachings.
However, MILF information officer Eid Kabalu on Thursday denied that Cunto and his men were part of the 105th Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the military wing of the MILF, headed by Kumander Bravo.
Kabalu said no one among Bravo's forces has surrendered based on reports from the field.
"If it is true, then they (government) can prosecute them," Kabalu said since the government vowed to prosecute the Lanao del Norte attackers.
It was learned that Cunto and six of his armed followers were in Kauswagan during the MILF raid, but they did not participate in the atrocities against civilians.
After the raid, Cunto and his followers contemplated on the incident and finally decided on Wednesday night to give up their arms along with all other MILF members in their barangay.
Supnet said the surrenderees can no longer bear the atrocities of Kumander Bravo who led last Monday’s attacks in Lanao del Norte Province that left several people dead.
Cunto's group is from Higaonon tribe and not Muslims.
The youngest member of the group is Oliver Pandana, 15 years old, who said he joined the MILF when he was still 11 years old.
Many others are still in their 20's and most of them claimed to have not even touched or fired a firearm since they joined the secessionist group.
Nelson So-ong said he joined the MILF out of curiosity, adding that he has never participated in any armed conflict since he was affiliated with the rebel group three years ago.
"Misurrender lang mi aron ma-clear among pangalan ba. Kay basin ug pasanginlan mi nga apil mi sa Kauswagan raid (We surrendered to clear our name. They might blame us for the Kauswagan raid)," So-ong said.
Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff Lieutenant General Cardoso Luna said the rebels did not demand anything in return for their surrender. He said they also turned over eight firearms.
The rebels will be turned over to the police for custody, added Luna.
On whether the 31 rebels would be charged in court for their atrocities, Supnet said: "I don't know. We will refer it to the police. These are the least guilty. We can even use them as state witness against Macapaar. These the ones who can give proofs on what Bravo did."
Luna also said they are determining whether the rebels could avail of the government's Balik Baril program.
Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz meanwhile thanked the rebels for their decision to surrender.
He vowed to help them and protect them from Kumander Bravo's reprisal.
Cunto, for his part, urged other MILF rebels who are still fighting with the government to follow their lead.
He said it's useless fighting a war that is in violation of their Islamic beliefs.
Supnet however declined to say if the 31 Moro rebels would lead government forces to the whereabouts of Macapaar, saying this was "operational."
He also refused to comment whether Macapaar was planning more attacks, saying this was "tactical."
MILF leaders have said the attacks were result of the commanders' frustration over the stalled signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the MILF.
"That was the briefing given to them. If it's not signed, they are going to attack," Supnet said.
AFP spokesman for the conflict Jorge Segovia said the military is deploying more troops to Central Mindanao to augment military forces currently involved in the campaign.
"The Armed Forces of the Philippines has stepped up its operations to punish the lawless MILF groups who have caused severe damage to lives and properties in Mindanao," Segovia said.
There will be appropriate reinforcements for our Army troops on the ground by utilizing the assets of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force to assure the success of our mission, he said without giving figures.
Segovia added that the military is coordinating with concerned government agencies in the areas of operation "to hasten the accomplishment of our mission and to ensure that there will be no collateral damage to the civilians.
"The military will not allow other threat groups to take advantage of the situation," he said. "We are more than capable and prepared to address any skirmishes or insurgency that may emerge in other parts of the country. We will protect and we will defend the people."
Segovia said he remains hopeful for a swift resolution of the conflict, adding that the military operations are concentrated on some areas in the provinces of Lanao and North Cotabato.
He said artillery and air strikes are being conducted against enemy positions but would not say exactly where.
"Let me just say that we have been delivering artillery and fires and we have been conducting air sorties on the groups that we are pursuing," he said. (BOT/BPG/VR/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Davao. (August 22, 2008 issue)
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