|
Monday, April 14, 2003
10 MILF men hurt in Cotabato battles
By Raquel C. Bagnol & Peng Aliņo
TEN members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were wounded in renewed clashes that took place in different parts of North Cotabato from Friday until Sunday.
According to Col. Carduzo Luna, the 602nd Infantry Brigade Commander based in Carmen, North Cotabato, members of the 40th Infantry Battalion led by Col. Onisimo Baniaga had an encounter, which lasted for more than an hour against a group of 30 MILF members in Kuyapon, Kabacan, Cotabato at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Meanwhile, another group of 20 MILF rebels attacked the 6th Infantry Battalion Saturday afternoon, as they patrolled a bridge under construction by the North Cotabato Provincial Engineering group in Buliok Complex, Pikit, North Cotabato.
The MILF members showered heavy construction equipment with bullets using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and other high-powered firearms. No one was reported hurt in the 30-minute gunfight. The military recovered a 60mm mortar from the scene.
Later at 10 p.m. of the same day, a group of 20 Moro rebels armed with RPG and other high caliber firearms attacked a military detachment in West Patadon, Matalam, Cotabato.
The troopers of the 39th Infantry Batallion led by Lt. Col. Alan Martin engaged the rebels in a 30-minute firefight.
The number of casualties on the MILF side could not be determined but blood stains littered the spot where the rebels had dragged away their dead comrades.
On Friday night, MILF rebels planted a bomb at one of the electric towers in Barangay Kitulaan, Carmen, North Cotabato but elements of the 40th Infantry Battalion and the Cotabato Anti-Crime Task Force were able to detonate the bomb before it could explode.
Luna said they are implementing tighter security measures in all areas of North Cotabato because of intensified MILF attacks.
(April 14, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
