Tuesday, August 19, 2008 8 men killed in MILF ambush By Ben O. Tesiorna
LANAO DEL SUR -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vowed to pursue the armed group responsible for the death of eight soldiers and wounding of 12 others in Lanao del Sur, Sunday morning.
In a released statement, the AFP expressed their grief on the demise of their comrades-in-arms as they condemned the involvement of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the ambush of the army convoy in Mulondo, Lanao del Sur.
Four soldiers and four militiamen were killed while 12 other people got hurt when an undetermined number of suspected members of the MILF attacked a military convoy that were said to be on a "non-combat" mission.
It was learned that the convoy was supposed to bring the salaries of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) members in the area when they were ambushed.
Initial reports said the convoy was ambushed by MILF members in Barangay Ilian around 8 a.m.
"Such attacks cannot be allowed to go on. As the only legitimate armed force, we shall pursue the perpetrators of this criminal act and ensure that the laws of our country are respected," the AFP said.
The victims are from the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Battalion while the rest came from the Cafgu.
Eight government troops, three Cafgu members and another person were hurt in the attack. (BOT)
