Monday, November 20, 2006 Authorities fired upon by bombing suspects
POLICE and military authorities who were out to serve a warrant of arrest on a rebel leader was reportedly fired at by the suspect's group in Pikit, North Cotabato early morning of November 17.
The military said policemen, backed by elements of the Army's 7th Infantry Battalion, were on their way to a remote village of Pikit, North Cotabato to arrest Commander Batunan Tambang when fired upon by about 50 armed rebels believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
A brief clash then ensued with the armed group withdrawing minutes later.
Military officials said a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, M-203 rifle, uniforms and backpacks were recovered by government troops in the area during the clearing operation.
In a telephone interview Sunday, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied that Tambang is one of their commanders.
He said Tambang is a known bandit and a cattle rustler in North Cotabato.
Kabalu said the rocket-propelled grenade recovered in the area was not taken from Tambang's group.
"They (government troops) only recovered this during the clearing operation in the area. And this does not belong to the Tambang's group," Kabalu said.
He admitted that only the MILF possesses such an armament in that area, which is under the MILF's 108th Bangsamoro Islamic Army Forces.
Tambang was implicated in the recent series of bomb attacks in Central Mindanao.
(BOT)
