October 9, 2000, The Star, Six rebels give up, others to follow,

October 9, 2000, The Star, Six rebels give up, others to follow,

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Six Abu Sayyaf gunmen surrendered late Sunday in the wake of military claims that prominent members of the rebel group were also sending out feelers to give up.

Military spokesman Major-Gen Generoso Senga said there were "many others'' who had sent messages over their desire to surrender.

According to other military officials, among those prepared to surrender were Abu Sabaya, who is holding American Jeffrey Schilling, Mujib Susukan and Radullan Sahiron.

Radullan is believed to be holding Filipino resort worker Rolland Ullah, the last of the 21 Sipadan hostages, while Mujib's cousin Tuting Nuhman is believed to be holding the three Malaysians at Mount Mahala, about 40km west of Luuk.

The officials said this after a meeting between the military and a local Tausug leader asked by the Abu Sayyaf to negotiate the surrender.

General Senga said three gunmen surrendered their rifles in Luuk while three more surrendered later Sunday evening.

In Kota Kinabalu, Chief Minister Datuk Osu Sukam said the state government had sent water tanks to store fresh water for Malaysian troops stationed along Sabah's east coast.

In Lumut, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said his ministry would despatch more military equipment to beef up surveillance of Sabah's coastal waters.

He added that the ministry would be organising a comprehensive training programme involving a battalion of 600 personnel from the armed forces.