MNLF COMMANDER IN BASILAN GIVE UP

Zamboanga City, 18 Dzulqa’idah 1434/24 September 2013 (MINA) – A Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebel commander and seven of his men surrendered as government forces continued to press on the movement faighters.

Zamboanga City crisis between government military and MNLF Nur Misuari faction deadlock that has entered the 16th day on Tuesday, Philippnes News Agency (PNA) quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The group of Basilan-based Commander Salip Ijal surrendered Tuesday morning in Ayer Village, Barangay Sta. Barbara, 0.35 kilometers east of City Hall.

At the same time, the government forces have safely recovered five hostages, who are all male adults.

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Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño said the surrenderors were placed under tactical interrogation.

Government forces continue to constrict the movement of rebels who are involved in the standoff that started last September 9.

PRO-9 information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said that there were 99 MNLF rebels killed as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Huesca said that 100 MNLF rebels were captured while 24 have surrendered since the start of the standoff.

The standoff started when hundreds of MNLF rebels led by Habier Malik, a trusted aide of MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari infiltrated this city.

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Previously, Muslimin Sema faction, MNLF political leaders greatest, stating that MNLF in Mindanao mainland in his leadership, has stated that they will not join with Misuari faction.

“We all agreed to step down and we kept calling other MNLF groups to follow the path of peace by peace treaty in 1996,” Sema told reporters a week ago. (T/P09/P04)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)