271 ex-rebels end military training

271 ex-rebels end military training

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (DPA): At least 271 former
guerrillas have completed a rigid six-month military training in
the southern Philippines to become the first batch of rebels to
be integrated into the armed forces, officials said yesterday.

Navy Commodore Adolf Borje said the former Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters were expected to join the
Philippine army and will eventually be deployed in the four-
province Autonomous Region of Moslem Mindanao.

Borje, who was guest speaker at the graduation ceremony
Saturday, urged the former rebels to spread goodwill and help in
the country's development as peacekeepers.

The 271 were part of about 1,200 former MNLF guerrillas who
began training under the military in late May in various armed
forces headquarters across the Philippines.

Although the trainees have complained of poor living
conditions and lack of facilities inside the marine camp in the
town of Jolo, Sulu province, most of the graduates were happy
they finished the program.