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.