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MILF, Army clash anew in North Cotabato
Fighting between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the military in North Cotabato, broke out again Tuesday morning. Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Army public affairs chief, said some 120 armed MILF rebels attacked members of the Army's 40th Infantry Battalion in Pagangan village in Aleosan town around 8:30 a.m.Brawner said the Moro fighters were members of the 105th and 108th commands of the MILF led by commanders Motalib Kague Limbas, Talanok, Mustapha, and Manalapas. The Army spokesman said firefights were ongoing. He said there were no reported casualties 'so far.' The attack came four days after another group of MILF rebels attacked two military detachments in Midsayap and Aleosan towns. Police and military units in the province had been placed on heightened alert status after alleged the sighting of hundreds of armed MILF rebels in at least seven towns, including Aleosan and Midsayap. MILF and military forces had also clashed in Sarangani province last week. At least 700 families from Maitum town left their homes to avoid being caught between the fighting forces. The military had said the clashes in Saranggani were ignited by attacks carried out by the Moro rebel. The MILF meanwhile said on its Web site (www.luwaran.com) that before the fighting broke out Army troopers were sent to Barangay Ticulab in Maitum to check on rumors that some rebels were planning to launch an attack 'due to their looming frustrations on the government insincerity with the ongoing peace process.' 'The rumors are believed to be fueled by warmongers and parties against the peace process. Thus, this unfortunate incident occurred,' the rebel group said. The joint MILF-government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities had re-implemented the ceasefire in the area. The displaced residents had been given by the military a go signal to return to their homes. Posted by: Fred 2008-07-02 |
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