Troops continue assault on MILF in Mindanao

Army soldiers from the 6th Infantry Division’s 1st mechanized battalion under Lt. Col. Willy Alunday, fires 25 millimeters guns toward rebel positions in Maguindanao province where fighting between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have reported the past days. Col. Menardo Geslani, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, also points to a map where the military operation is concentrated. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales).

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 23, 2009) – Government forces battling the Moro Islamic Liberation Front have recovered Thursday weapons left behind by rebel forces in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said troops recovered the weapons in Maguindanao’s Datu Saudi Ampatuan town and in Pikit town in North Cotabato where security forces assaulted MILF strongholds the past days.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, a spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said among the weapons were anti-tank rockets, automatic rifles and munitions.“These weapons were recovered during clearing operations,” he said.

The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting for independence in the restive region, did not give any statement about the captured weapons. (With a report from Mark Navales)