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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Moro rebels attack Sarangani villages
By Edwin G. Espejo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels launched simultaneous attacks Wednesday in several villages of Maitum in Sarangani province, triggering a full-scale battle between the Moro rebels and government troopers.
Suspected members of the MILF reportedly ambushed a truck from the Philippine Army, hitting it by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
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However, Captain Patricio Tomales of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade based in Sarangani, refuted such a report.
He said some 50 heavily armed Moro rebels allegedly gunned down a still unidentified member of the civilian volunteer organization (CVO) at dawn Wednesday.
Tomales added that the rebels then attacked a Philippine Army detachment in the village of Ticulab.
No casualties were reported in the attack as the area has been cordoned off, but the incident triggered a counter-offensive from the military.
A separate source meantime said some 200 MILF rebels were sighted in the hamlet of Ticulab, near Barangay Kalaong in Maitum.
More MILF members were also reportedly seen massing up in the village of Upo in nearby Barangay Mindupok.
Tomales said they received reports that MILF rebels, allegedly led by Kumander Dante and Kumander Mike, have held hostage several residents in Barangay Maguling, also in Maitum.
Another report, which is still being verified by Army troopers, said that armed men were also seen massing up in Lumatil in Maasim, Sarangani.
Army sources also said they received intelligence information that more MILF members were sighted in nearby Palimbang town of Sultan Kudarat province.
Maitum is approximately 110 kilometers from General Santos City. The whole town is still gripped with tension and scores of residents in the affected villages have reportedly evacuated to the town center.
As of this writing Wednesday, the Philippine Army under the 27th Infantry Battalion has sent several armored personnel carriers to drive away the MILF rebels.
Reinforcements from the Philippine Army's 1002nd Infantry Brigade and 105mm howitzers from the Armored Battalion based in General Santos City were also sent to support beleaguered troops in the area.
Government troopers, on the other hand, said air support was on its way to help.
Major Armand Rico, spokesman for the military's Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said commander Anselmo Cunanan ordered the command troops to step up security operations amid reports that groups are out to topple power and communication lines in their area of responsibility.
Rico however could not immediately say who initiated the fight. He only said that troops are supported by armored vehicles and air assets.
The Arroyo government and the MILF have earlier signed a ceasefire agreement, pending peace negotiations and possible signing of peace accord between the two sides. (With VR/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (June 26, 2008 issue)
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