AFP intensifies efforts to persuade MNLF remnants to surrender

From GMA News (Sep 22): AFP intensifies efforts to persuade MNLF remnants to surrender

As the crisis in Zamboanga City is about to enter its third week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday stepped up its persuasive efforts to have followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in Zamboanga City surrender.

Philippine Army 7th Civil Relations Group commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the AFP used portable loudspeakers to broadcast messages to Misuari's followers.

"Surrender is an honorable thing. We are Filipino brothers. We will respect your rights," the messages said, according to tweets by Cabunoc.

He also said the government troops do not want to annihilate the Misuari followers because "we are all Filipinos."

Besides, he said most of Misuari's followers "were deceived by their leaders and promised monetary rewards."

Cabunoc said most of Misuari's followers were promised P2,000 and a firearm for taking part in a so-called peace rally in Zamboanga.

In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the military has started distributing flyers in MNLF-controlled areas of Zamboanga City, urging them to surrender.

Valte said on government-run dzRB radio that some followers of Misuari had responded to the messages brought by the flyers.

“Nagpapalapag sila ng flyer sa area kung saan pinaniniwala naroon ... ang element ng Misuari faction. Ang nakalagay sa flyer, sumuko na po, kung pwede itigil ang hostilities doon," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

“So far meron namang tumutugon, sana lahat sila tumugon (So far some have responded to the messages. We hope all of them will also respond),” she added.

Misuari’s followers had engaged government forces in a standoff since Sept. 9 in Zamboanga City by taking several civilians hostage.

But many of the hostages have since been released or have escaped, while the military claimed it has retaken most of the MNLF-controlled areas.

However, Valte said the flyers do not mean the military is easing up its operations to “push forward” against Misuari’s followers.

“Patuloy ang clearing operations (The clearing operations will continue),” she said.

Meanwhile, Valte said it will be up to the Department of Justice to determine if charges will be filed against Misuari over the Zamboanga City standoff.

“Perhaps that announcement will be coming from the DOJ. The President tasked the Secretary of Justice to look into possible cases that can be filed in connection with the Zamboanga situation,” she said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/327615/news/nation/afp-intensifies-efforts-to-persuade-mnlf-remnants-to-surrender