AFP secures seven of 15 villages in NCotabato

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said seven of 15 villages in North Cotabato have been cleared of Moro rebels. Eastern Mindanao Command spokesman Major Armand Rico said the cleared villages are Dunguan in Aleosan; Baliki, Upper Labas and Lagindingan in Midsayap; Cabpangi in Pigcawayan; Barangay Gayonga in Northern Kabuntalan; and Gumaga in Libungan. The rebel-occupied areas are Bagolibas, Dualing and Pagangan in Aleosan; Central Labas in Midsayap; Lower Labas and Matindigin in Pigcawayan; and Bualan and Kulambong in Pikit. Casualties In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City Tuesday, Brig. Gen. Jorge V. Segovia, acting chief of the Command Center, said encounters since Sunday resulted in two soldiers killed and 15 wounded, including three from an encounter in Basilan province. Mr. Rico, in a separate text message to reporters, said initial reports stated 13 MILF casualties and five wounded. Chief Superintendent Nicanor A. Bartolome, National Police spokesman, told reporters that police forces in North Cotabato have been augmented from troops in Regions 6, 7 and 8. Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander B. Yano said continued operations against the so-called MILF lost command "will no way taint our faith on the peace process... as operations are only focused in North Cotabato." — A. J. A. Catipay, BusinessWorld