MILF rebels patrol a village in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 15, 2011) – Security forces killed a senior leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in a clash in Zamboanga del Norte province inn the southern Philippines, officials said Monday.
Officials said policemen, backed by government soldiers, were trying to arrest Abdulmajid Abdulham alias Commander Mollong when his group opened fire of security forces, sparking a firefight in the village of Lakiki in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sibuco town.
The weekend clash killed Abdulham, a notorious rebel commander, blamed for the spate of attacks and banditry in the province. Four of his followers escaped the fighting.
“Mollong, a fugitive from justice, resisted arrest which led to a gun battle between government forces and four of his cohorts that ultimately caused his death in the ensuing 30-minute firefight,” said Major General Noel Caballes, commander of the 1st Infantry Division.
He said there were no reports of casualties on the government side.
The MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government, said the clash forced close to 100 families to flee their homes and accused the military and police of attacking rebel forces in the area. It said security forces violated the cease-fire agreement.
It said security forces attacked the rebels while having their morning prayers.
“The attack erupted at around 5 a.m. while MILF fighters were performing Subuh prayers and fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadhan. One BIAF fighter was martyred in the ensuing firefight. Gun battle scaled up in the afternoon and the aggressive government forces suffered casualties,” the MILF said in a statement.
BIAF is the acronym for Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF’s military wing.
The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for decades for self-determination. (Mindanao Examiner)
Officials said policemen, backed by government soldiers, were trying to arrest Abdulmajid Abdulham alias Commander Mollong when his group opened fire of security forces, sparking a firefight in the village of Lakiki in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sibuco town.
The weekend clash killed Abdulham, a notorious rebel commander, blamed for the spate of attacks and banditry in the province. Four of his followers escaped the fighting.
“Mollong, a fugitive from justice, resisted arrest which led to a gun battle between government forces and four of his cohorts that ultimately caused his death in the ensuing 30-minute firefight,” said Major General Noel Caballes, commander of the 1st Infantry Division.
He said there were no reports of casualties on the government side.
The MILF, which is currently negotiating peace with the Aquino government, said the clash forced close to 100 families to flee their homes and accused the military and police of attacking rebel forces in the area. It said security forces violated the cease-fire agreement.
It said security forces attacked the rebels while having their morning prayers.
“The attack erupted at around 5 a.m. while MILF fighters were performing Subuh prayers and fasting in the Holy Month of Ramadhan. One BIAF fighter was martyred in the ensuing firefight. Gun battle scaled up in the afternoon and the aggressive government forces suffered casualties,” the MILF said in a statement.
BIAF is the acronym for Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF’s military wing.
The MILF is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for decades for self-determination. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment