20 MILFs surrender

Frencie Carreon · Sat Aug 5 09:47:40 2006

At least 20 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday formally gave up their arms and surrendered to military authorities at the Southern Command Headquarters, this city.

The MILF surrenderrees, led by Commander Len Siddik, are: Mannan Galbon, Wahab Mustafa, Saudi Mahalip, Sabtan Ladja, Asman Asti, Jason Tukmol, Arton Mustafa, Amsani Nadjilon and Asadi Sua, who each turned over a garand rifle; Niron Naing, Norman Jumrani, and Arbi Usman, who each handed a rifle .Cal 30MM Carbine; Damli Abdul, who gave up his rifle cal.7762FN FAL; Nasir Abdulla, Luis Nadua, Jugah Siddik, and a certain Leon, who each turned over a garand rifle, a Cal. 45, 357 (Colt), and an ICOM IC-OZN. Commander Len Siddik himself turned over his defaced pistol .cal 45 1911 (Colt).

Representing the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 1st Infantry Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Eugenio Cedo personally received the surrenderees who were based at the MILF Camp in Tuno, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Gen. Cedo said the surrender, negotiated by Filipino-Malaysian Mohammad Shallih Wahid, is an exemplary act that all other members of the MILF must follow.. "We welcome the Commander and 19 others...and hope others in MILF will return to the mainstream," he said.

The MILF Commander in an interview said the surrender was something that had carefully contemplated on, and after six months of negotiation, they realized how tiresome life is fighting the military and waging an endless war that will never make them win. In his formal response, Siddik pledged to obey the Philippine Constitution and pledged allegiance to the Philippine flag.

"Para ito sa kinabukasan ng aming mga anak, at katahimikan…at sa kabutihan ng mamamayan (This is for our children, and for peace, as well as for the greater good of the citizenry)," Siddik added.

Siddik joined the MILF in 1987, and he humbly acknowledged that the cause he fought for seemed to die along with the death of Commander Nasser in 2003.

The MILF stronghold in Sibuco and Sirawai towns in Zamboanga del Norte was tagged to have been responsible for the attack in Siocon, where 29 people were killed and dozens wounded, and the hostage-taking of more than 20 residents including the wife and son of Sirawai Mayor Cesar Soriano in 2003. (Frencie L. Carreon)