MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 19, 2008) – Fighting between government soldiers and Muslim rebels broke out Tuesday in the southern Philippines as security forces hunted members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front blamed for the series of attacks in the troubled region.
Security spokesmen said one rebel was killed and three more were wounded in the fighting in Kabuntalan town in Maguindanao province. “Rebels attacked patrolling soldiers with mortars and machine guns triggering a firefight that left one gunman dead and three others wounded,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, of the 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.
Ando said the fighting began at around 4 p.m. along Rio Grande de Mindanao after two rebel boats attacked the soldiers, who belonged to the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion. “We sank one boat, but the rest of the rebels were able to escape,” he said.
He said the boats were transporting more than 15 rebels. Ando said rebel reinforcement also attacked the soldiers, but there were no reports of military casualties.
The MILF confirmed the fighting and said troops ambushed the rebels. “They ambushed the rebels and sporadic fighting is still going on,” Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said later on the day.
“Troops are attacking our forces. This is dangerous because the fighting could spread to other areas,” he said by phone from his base in Mindanao.
Rebel forces were also reported to have attacked a village in Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte on the other side of Mindanao, but this could not be immediately confirmed. “We are still verifying the reports, we cannot confirm it right now,” said Army Maj. Eugene Batara, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.
Security spokesmen said one rebel was killed and three more were wounded in the fighting in Kabuntalan town in Maguindanao province. “Rebels attacked patrolling soldiers with mortars and machine guns triggering a firefight that left one gunman dead and three others wounded,” Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, of the 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.
Ando said the fighting began at around 4 p.m. along Rio Grande de Mindanao after two rebel boats attacked the soldiers, who belonged to the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion. “We sank one boat, but the rest of the rebels were able to escape,” he said.
He said the boats were transporting more than 15 rebels. Ando said rebel reinforcement also attacked the soldiers, but there were no reports of military casualties.
The MILF confirmed the fighting and said troops ambushed the rebels. “They ambushed the rebels and sporadic fighting is still going on,” Mohagher Iqbal, chief MILF peace negotiator, said later on the day.
“Troops are attacking our forces. This is dangerous because the fighting could spread to other areas,” he said by phone from his base in Mindanao.
Rebel forces were also reported to have attacked a village in Sindangan town in Zamboanga del Norte on the other side of Mindanao, but this could not be immediately confirmed. “We are still verifying the reports, we cannot confirm it right now,” said Army Maj. Eugene Batara, a spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command.
Dozens of civilians were killed on Monday after rebel forces attacked villages in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.
Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF, but despite a cease-fire accord fighting still continues in many areas in Mindanao with both sides accusing each other of violating the fragile truce. (Mindanao Examiner)
Manila is currently negotiating peace with the MILF, but despite a cease-fire accord fighting still continues in many areas in Mindanao with both sides accusing each other of violating the fragile truce. (Mindanao Examiner)
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