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.