October 6, 2000, ABS-CBN, Estrada swears in 600 MILF surrenderees,

October 6, 2000, ABS-CBN, Estrada swears in 600 MILF surrenderees,

CAGAYAN DE ORO, (ABS-CBN) - President Joseph Estrada arrived in Cagayan de Oro Thursday morning to lead over 600 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) surrenderees swearing allegiance to the Filipino flag.

The President swore in the former rebels led by former Marogong, Lanao del Sur mayor Cosain Malupandi Sarip alias Kumander Lupay in simple ceremonies at the Philippine Army's Camp Edilberto Evangelista.

Commander Lupay surrendered last week with 66 rebels in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur. He was joined by 324 rebels who surrendered last September 11 led by six MILF field commanders in Malabang, and a new group from the coastal towns of Balabagan and Marugong also in Lanao del Sur.

In his speech before the rebel returnees, the President urged other rebels to lay down their arms and talk peace with the government. "We must resolve our differences through peaceful means because fighting among ourselves will never bring any good to either one of us", Estrada stressed.

At the same time, he called on the Muslim people to help the government to fight poverty, which he said is the common enemy. "I cannot fight poverty alone, I need the help of Christians. I need the help of Muslims. I need the help of everyone," he added.

The secessionist group also surrendered more than 400 assorted firearms. 

The MILF group was largest number to surrender to the military since the government launched a major assault against the MILF early this year. The assault resulted to the seizure of 39 MILF camps, including 14 major rebel strongholds in various areas in Mindanao.

President Estrada suspended peace talks with the MILF on June 30 after the rebels refused to abandon their secessionist goal, stop rebel attacks and lay down their arms.

MILF chairman Salamat Hashim then responded by declaring a jihad or holy war against the government and dismantled the rebel peace negotiating team.

Last week, the President signed proclamation number 390 granting amnesty to MILF rebels who fought for their political beliefs, but not to those who committed crimes such as robbery, kidnapping and rape. 

The MILF leadership recently rejected President Estrada's amnesty proposal in line with the planned resumption of the GRP-MILF peace talks.

MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu stressed if the government's aim is to bring back the MILF to the negotiating panel, it must consider the preconditions which the MILF leadership earlier declared. Kabalu also called the amnesty program mere propaganda.