2 suspected MNLF rebels killed in Palawan clash
SOPHIA M. DEDACE, GMANews.TV
08/19/2009 | 09:51 AM
Two men believed to be members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were killed in a clash with government troops on Wednesday morning in Palawan province in western Philippines, the military said.
Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the fighting erupted about 7 a.m. on Mantangule Island, which the alleged MNLF men had occupied since Saturday.
Mantangule is near Balabac Island, off the southern end of Palawan.
"Hindi sila (MNLF) tumupad sa usapan na umalis before sunset kahapon, kaya nag-assault na ang ating Marines (The Marines made the assault because the rebels did not leave the area before sunset yesterday)," Brawner said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.
As of this posting, Brawner said the fighting is ongoing.
Brawner also said troops captured two MNLF members. No government casualties have so far been reported, he added.
Brawner said no civilians were harmed. "They already evacuated since the armed men arrived."
He said Navy vessels and the Marines have continued patrolling the seas off Balabac Island.
He said that they could not estimate how many suspected MNLF men are in the area, but noted that reports reaching him indicated there were about 30 of them.
In September 1996, the MNLF signed a peace pact with the government.
But in November 2001, then MNLF chair Nur Misuari waged a mini-rebellion in Sulu, prompting authorities to file rebellion charges against him.
Misuari has since been replaced and is on house arrest pending resolution of his case. - GMANews.TV
Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the fighting erupted about 7 a.m. on Mantangule Island, which the alleged MNLF men had occupied since Saturday.
Mantangule is near Balabac Island, off the southern end of Palawan.
"Hindi sila (MNLF) tumupad sa usapan na umalis before sunset kahapon, kaya nag-assault na ang ating Marines (The Marines made the assault because the rebels did not leave the area before sunset yesterday)," Brawner said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.
As of this posting, Brawner said the fighting is ongoing.
Brawner also said troops captured two MNLF members. No government casualties have so far been reported, he added.
Brawner said no civilians were harmed. "They already evacuated since the armed men arrived."
He said Navy vessels and the Marines have continued patrolling the seas off Balabac Island.
He said that they could not estimate how many suspected MNLF men are in the area, but noted that reports reaching him indicated there were about 30 of them.
In September 1996, the MNLF signed a peace pact with the government.
But in November 2001, then MNLF chair Nur Misuari waged a mini-rebellion in Sulu, prompting authorities to file rebellion charges against him.
Misuari has since been replaced and is on house arrest pending resolution of his case. - GMANews.TV
