MILF claims AFP attacked its forces in Zambo Sibugay

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front accused the government of insincerity in the peace process after an alleged attack by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on its forces in Zamboanga Sibugay early Saturday. An article on the MILF website said the AFP assaulted the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF)’s 113th Base Command at Sitio Taib, Labatan village in Payao town. It said the attack started around 5 a.m., with the military launching mortar rounds from 105-mm howitzers. “Forces of the 113th Base Command BIAF-MILF were praying Subuh, early morning prayer for the Muslims, when the heavy bombardment started toward them," it said. The MILF claimed military Bronco planes bombed Labatan and forced some 3,000 civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge at Tampalan Elementary School. It said the AFP attacks started last October 15. “MILF forces expressed that the operation in Labatan, Payao, manifested in clear and strong terms the insincerity of the government to the ongoing peace process and ceasefire with the MILF," it said. Ops vs lawless elements ongoing But earlier, President Benigno Aquino III said the operations in Zamboanga Sibugay were aimed at lawless elements who killed seven soldiers and wounded eight others there this week. “There are ongoing operations in Zamboanga Sibugay as we speak, hindi hihinto. Gusto kong iparating na ang estado handang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayan... Yung mga akalang makalulusot, palagay ko madadama nila kung ano ang ibig sabihin pag nakatutok ang estado sa pagtutugis sa kanila, Aquino said in an interview Friday night. Also, he said no one can conclude the MILF was behind the Zamboanga Sibugay incident, at least for now, adding, “Hindi pwedeng haka-haka lang." — LBG, GMA News