Rebels surrender to military

Rebels surrender to military

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Thirty-four rebels surrendered to the military in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, officials said yesterday.

The rebels surrendered on Monday in Aurora town, 200 kilometers west of this southern port city to officials of the southern command.

One of the rebels was a commander of the main insurgent Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), while the rest were guerrillas of the group's breakaway faction, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Southern command chief Lt. Gen. Ruperto Ambil said the rebels also surrendered 34 pieces of assorted firearms, including machineguns, rifles and pistols.

"We are already tired of fighting. We are convinced of the government's sincerity to help us and we wish to live a peaceful life," said MNLF commander Abdul Abidin and MILF commander Abdul Gapul Kalala in a joint statement.