ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Twentry-three members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) surrendered to Zamboanga City police chief Senior Supt Juan Chiquito Malayo Tuesday night, September 17.

Malayo was reportedly hostaged by the same MNLF group earlier in the day, but later emerged unscathed and refusing to confirm whether he was held or he negotiated.

READ: Hostaged? Zambo top cop doesn’t look like it

This group of MNLF members, from Basilan, claimed they did not participate in the standoff with the government troops.

They supposedly only planned to join the MNLF peace rally and and retreated to Barangay Mampang when violence started. This is where they bumped into Malayo.

They said they want to return to Basilan.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said they will verify if the group had anything to do with the violence in the Zamboanga City crisis. If not, they may be allowed to go home. 

– Rappler.com