Tuesday, May 08, 2007
4 rebels die in fresh gunbattle in Sulu (2:00 p.m.)
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Four Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were killed as fighting erupted anew Tuesday between Marine troops and MNLF forces under rouge leader Habier Malik in the hinterland of Sulu province, a military official disclosed here.
Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) information officer Eugenio Batara said the fresh fighting ensued shortly before 6 a.m. in Barangay Kambing, Kalinggalang Kaluang town.
Batara said the fighting erupted when government troops, on combat and clearing operations, spotted some 200 rebels led by Malik in Barangay Kambing.
"The fighting still continue as of this hour," Batara said. Four of Malik's followers were killed.
No casualty was reported on the side of the government forces, according to Batara.
The military forces under the Wesmincom have been hunting down Malik and his followers, who staged attacks last month in a Marine camp and the town hall of Panamao.
The attack resulted to fierce fightinf for few days when the government troops retaliated against Malik's forces.
The fighting forced some 9,000 families with more than 45,000 individuals to fled for safety for fear of their lives. |
