6 MNLF fighters surrender – military

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Six “leaderless” Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members have surrendered to the government, a military official said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Philippine Army’s 7^th Civil Relations Group, said on Twitter that some MNLF members involved in the Zamboanga City conflict were “fighting as individuals.”

“Some of (Nur) Misuari’s men appear leaderless. Six of them opted to surrender yesterday (Thursday) afternoon,” he said, referring to MNLF leader Nur Misuari.

Cabunoc said the men were “very hungry” and had run out of ammunition.

He said they will “respect ‘hors d combat” (those who could not fight anymore) as provided for in the [International Humanitarian Law or the law of armed conflict],” but those who surrendered “must be ready to face the criminal cases that would be filed against them.”

Nur Misuari, leader of the MNLF faction that clashed with government forces in Zamboanga City, has yet to appear in public or release an official statement since the fighting erupted last September 9.

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