ZAMBOANGA CITY, 17 March 2006 — An official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) yesterday disowned the 50 rebels who surrendered on Wednesday to government troops in the southern province of North Cotabato.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the rebels, led by Pendi Ampatuan and Ismael Pagiloyen, belonged to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Nur Misuari, which signed a peace agreement with Manila in Sepember 1996.

“They were former members of the Moro National Liberation Front, and not the MILF. There is no reason for MILF members to surrender because the MILF is a revolutionary organization fighting for self-determination,” Kabalu said in an interview.

The surrender of the group of Ampatuan and Pagiloyen, held at a Philippine Army camp in Carmen town, North Cotabato, coincided with the MILF’s announcement that it will resume peace talks with government negotiators next week.

Maj. Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the military’s Southern Command, said the rebels voluntarily surrendered.

“The rebels have finally returned to the folds of the law after long years of being with the MILF. They have pledged their allegiance to the government and we will help them start a new life and transform them into productive and responsible citizens,” Hayudini told Arab News.

Wednesday’s surrender was the not the first time rebels claiming to be MILF fighters have given up their arms to the government in exchange for livelihood funds. It was also not the first time the MILF had disowned such rebels.

In the past, the MILF had accused some armed groups who availed of the government’s amnesty program of being in cahoots with corrupt military officials and local politicians.

Yesterday, the MILF appeared not to be distracted and said they were prepared to resume the peace negotiations next week, not next month as had been previously scheduled. “We are ready and prepared to continue the peace talks with the Philippine government, and at the latest, both peace panels are set to resume negotiations next week in Malaysia,” he said.

The talks, brokered by Malaysia, were scheduled earlier this month but were cancelled after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of national emergency on Feb. 24.

Mohagher Iqbal, the chief MILF peace negotiator, said had the talks not been postponed, both peace panels would have discussed the implementing guidelines of the ancestral domain issues. “We should be talking about the implementing guidelines on the issues of the ancestral domain. We should have put bones, flesh and arteries in the principles that we have earlier agreed during last month’s peace talks in Malaysia.

“But we are very optimistic that the MILF and the Philippine government will arrive at a common deal that is fruitful and beneficial to all, to every one and to the Bangsamoro people. Peace is important to all of us,” Iqbal said.

Kabalu said next week’s meeting would likely deal on minor details on the issue of the so-called Muslim ancestral domain.

Iqbal said while his group is sincere in pursuing the peace process the MILF is careful in its negotiations with Manila.

“Peace talks are a continuing process and there are lots of tumbles along the way, but despite this, we still managed to stand up and walk a straight line. Trust and sincerity are important in peace process,” he said.

Peace negotiators reached an agreement in February on the ancestral domain and the rebel group said it is near in signing a deal that will finally settle the Muslim secessionist problems.

Ancestral domain refers to the MILF demand for territory that will constitute a Muslim homeland. The MILF said government and rebel peace negotiators have already agreed on several crucial issues, including the coverage of the ancestral domain in the five Muslim autonomous provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Also included are areas in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces with large communities of Muslims and indigenous tribes.

Iqbal said Malaysia, the Philippines and the MILF have agreed to sign a peace accord in September.

“It is a tripartite decision that we should be able to finish the talks by September and sign a peace accord, but this deadline can be extended if there is a need for us to further negotiate with the Philippine government,” he said.