Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Army: villagers freed by Muslim rebels after clash (3:05 p.m.)
COTABATO -- Muslim guerrillas have freed several residents they took from a southern Philippine village to deter military assaults as they withdrew following a clash, army officials said Tuesday.
A group of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels opened fire on houses early Monday in Palomugin village, in Midsayap town in North Cotabato province, due to a feud with some residents, prompting pro-government militias in the area to return fire, officials said.
During the brief gunbattle, an MILF rebel was killed and two residents were wounded. As the guerrillas withdrew, they took 18 residents with them to deter military assaults but freed them later unharmed, said an army brigade commander, Colonel Danilo Garcia. (AP) |
