5 soldiers hurt in Lanao del Norte clash with MILF

MANILA, Philippines - Five soldiers were wounded following a clash with government soldiers in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Norte, a military spokesman said Wednesday. The firefight, which occurred Tuesday at the outskirts of Tagulian town 1, also resulted in the capture of three Moro rebels, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said in a press briefing. Quoting reports from the field, Torres said the clash started when troops from the 8th Infantry Battalion chanced upon at least 50 armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels while on a combat operation at the village of Kiazar. Torres said the soldiers and the rebels traded fires for at least one hour. “Five of our soldiers were wounded and our troops were able to capture three LMGs (lawless MILF group),” he said. Torres also revealed that classrooms were also burned, a community was attacked, and civilians were looted in separate rebel atrocities in other parts of Mindanao in the past two days. At about 5:45 p.m. last Monday, MILF rebels believed to be under wanted MILF leader Ameril Umbra Kato attacked a school in Pagangan village in Aleosan town, North Cotabato. “Three classrooms were totally damaged. Members of the LMGs under the 105th Base are believed to be responsible,” Torres said. In Sen. Ninoy Aquino town in Sultan Kudarat, about 100 MILF rebels attacked Midtongug village at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. “It caused some panic among the residents,” Torres said. Torres said troops from the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion were deployed to the area upon receipt of the information of the rebel attack but the rebels were no longer around. “Military troops under the 75th Infantry Battalion responded to bring back normalcy in the area,” he said. Also on Tuesday, in Maluso town, Basilan, Torres said at least 80 MILF rebels swooped down at Sitio Pali in Abong-abong village and looted the residents of their properties and jewelry items. He said the rebels took P56,000 cash from a local store. “Also, four high-powered firearms were taken by the rogue MILF rebels from the residents, including three Garand rifles and one shotgun,” Torres added. - GMANews.TV