1.   Its rail line to the Caribbean has been bombed five times by guerrillas this year, while three of its union leaders have been assassinated, allegedly by paramilitaries.

2.   It was the largest single surrender of guerrillas this year, said Maj. Gen D.B. Shekatar, a top army officer who oversaw the surrender.

3.   President Joseph Estrada has said that the government will try to reach peace agreements with the MILF and Communist guerrillas this year.

4.   The execution was the third by Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas this year.

5.   The government had resisted staging an annual dry-season offensive against the guerrillas this year, hoping that assurances of non-retribution would persuade them to lay down arms.