60 rebels surrender

60 rebels surrender

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): At least 60 rebels surrendered yesterday to military forces in the southern Philippines ahead of a new round of peace talks next week.

Mohammad Murad, military chief of the Moslem seccesionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the rebels were presented to Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado who was visiting an army infantry brigade in nearby South Cotabato province.

Murad said the majority of those who surrendered had no choice but to give themselves up because they had been found guilty of committing criminal offenses under the rebels' religious court.

Those found guilty under the MILF's religious court are usually given harsh punishments including death. Last month the group executed a member it found guilty of killing a relative.

MILF and government peace negotiators are scheduled to meet for a new round of talks beginning next week. The MILF is a splinter group from the larger Moro National Liberation Front which signed a landmark peace accord with Manila in 1996.