Rebels surrender, turn over arms

Rebels surrender, turn over arms

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Nine members of the extremist group Abu Sayyaf surrendered to Philippine Marines in the south, the region's army commander said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Ruperto Ambil said the nine surrendered on Saturday and turned over two rifles, a U.S.-made .45 caliber pistol, a revolver, some ammunition as well as 15 kilograms of sodium chloride and 15 blasting caps used to make bombs.

Led by their local commander, Ibrahim Agga, they group was fetched by naval gunboats from the village of Tuyang, Talipao town, Sulu province south of here. They were brought to marine headquarters in the capital town of Jolo.

Last month, five Abu Sayyaf members also surrendered to government troops. The Moslem fundamentalist Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for a series of bomb attacks and ransom kidnappings directed at Christian targets over the past three years.