Wednesday, May 31, 2006
2 killed in Zambo Sur clash
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A former leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) turned government militia and his companion were killed during a clash with bandits in the town of Dinas, east of Zamboanga City, police said Tuesday.
Police said the group of ex-rebel commander Norham Amil clashed with bandits in the village of Sambulawan. One of Amil's followers was also wounded in the fighting late Monday afternoon, said Superintendent Ramon Ochotorena, the chief of police in Zamboanga del Sur Province.
"Two bandits were killed in the fighting. We have deployed police forces in the area to pursue the bandits and protect the villagers," Ochotorena said.
He said the militiamen were patrolling the village when they ran into a group of bandits led by Kamil Lao, tagged as being behind the series of killings and attacks on civilians in the area.
Police said Lao's group was also implicated in the killing of the town's vice mayor, Abdulbasit Maulana, and five of his bodyguards. In March, troops killed one of Lao's men, Bandino Albios, in a clash in the village of Hakayan in Dinas town.
Albios and Lao were also linked to the killing in December of another Zamboanga del Sur town vice mayor, Mujahid Andi, and two town councilors, Manuel Mira and Alejandro Estriba, in October last year. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(May 31, 2006 issue)
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