25 MILF, 16 MNLF members surrender

A leader and 15 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and 25 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) laid down their arms and surrendered to authorities in the southern Philippines on Sunday and Monday, a military spokesman said.

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Commander Abdul Malik, together with 15 followers surrendered late on Monday afternoon in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province after a series of negotiation with leaders of the Army's 401st Infantry Brigade, said military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fredesvindo Covarrubias.

Malik, also known as Abdul bin Jihad, was the chief of the MNLF Elite Commando Group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces operating in Lanao del Sur, Covarrubias said.

Malik's group gave up two anti-tank grenade launchers, four rifle grenades and 11 automatic rifles.

Meanwhile, 25 MILF members, led by Commander Kamid Kulili, surrendered on Sunday to the Army's 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Sultan sa Barongis town in Maguindanao province, Covar-rubias said.

Kulili's group, believed to belong to the MILF's 2nd Battalion, turned in five rocket-propelled grenade launchers and seven automatic rifles.

"They are all fed up of fighting the government. They want to avail of the amnesty programme so they can start a new life with their families," Covarrubias said.