6 soldiers killed, MILF says in new fighting in Maguindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines- Moro rebels killed six government soldiers and destroyed an armored personnel carrier in fierce fighting Sunday in Maguindanao. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said two of its fighters were also wounded in the hostilities that erupted in the farming village of Tatapan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in the restive Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. "Six soldiers were killed and MILF fighters also destroyed an armored personnel carrier in the fighting that lasted several hours," said Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader. The fighting erupted a day after rebels bombed a power pylon in Lanao del Norte's Kauswagan town and cutting electricity in many parts of Western Mindanao, including Zamboanga City. Kabalu also accused the military of arresting nine Muslim villagers on Friday and tortured them on suspicion they were MILF sympathizers. They were later released near Shariff Kabunsuan province, he said. The military denied all the MILF reports and branded them propaganda. "There is no truth to the reports of Eid Kabalu that six soldiers were killed. There were fighting alright, but we have no casualties. There could be MILF killed," said Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, a spokesman for the Army's 6th Infantry Division. He also denied the reported torture of civilians. "Soldiers are professionals and we always uphold human rights," Ando said. The MILF is the country's largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting the past decades for self-determination. Peace talks between the MILF and Manila collapsed in August after rebels launched a series of deadly attacks over in North Cotabato, Sarangani and Lanao del Norte provinces in Mindanao over the failed signing of a Muslim homeland deal between the two sides. - Al Jacinto, GMANews.TV