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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Gunmen raid military post in Mindanao
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Gunmen attacked a military post in South Cotabato province on the main island of Mindanao, sparking a 15-minute battle in the town called Tupi, where the country's largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is actively operating, officials said Monday.
Officials said troops scrambled to pursue the gunmen who raided the detachment of the Army's 75th Infantry Battalion manned by militiamen in the village of Koronadal.
The weekend attack left no casualties, but the raid hastily sent security officials to deploy more soldiers in the farming town, where rebels are operating.
Other reports said the attack was carried out by the MILF, but the military's Southern Command in Zamboanga City referred to the attackers as "lawless elements," and its spokesman, Captain Jose Ritche Pabilonia, said government troops were pursuing the band of around 40 armed men.
"More or less 40 lawless elements, armed with assorted high-powered firearms, harassed the detachment. The firefight lasted for almost 15 minutes. The enemies retreated and troops were scouring the area. There were no reports of casualties on both sides," Pabilonia said.
Rebel leaders were not immediately available to say if the attackers were MILF fighters. The military said it was investigating the motive of the attack.
Fighting between rebels and government militiamen are common in the southern Philippines, especially in areas where the MILF is strong, but many of the clashes are usually triggered by family or clan feud. Many militias are also acting as bodyguards of politicians and wealthy traders in the restive region.
Manila opened peace talks with the MILF in 2001, but despite the truce, rebel and security forces still clashed with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire.
The MILF is fighting for a separate Islamic state in Mindanao, home to about four million Muslims. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(June 13, 2006 issue)
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