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Philippine military accused of attacking MILF forces
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has accused the Philippine military of attacking its forces in Basilan province and said three of its fighters had been killed by soldiers. It said one civilian was also killed and three others injured by the military assault. It said the military violated the cease-fire agreement between the MILF and the government.Marine Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command, said the military launched the operation on April 11 against Abu Sayyaf leaders Puruji Indama and Nurhassan Jamiri, who have been interfering with a government road project there. Muyuela said the military operation was coordinated with the MILF in Basilan. She said, "The launching of the combat operation has been coordinated with the AHJAG, CCCH and the PNP in pursuit of the lawless elements, primarily the Abu Sayyaf, which is believed to be responsible in several extortion and kidnapping cases here in the Mindanao area." But the MILF, which recently signed a peace deal with Manila, denied the report, saying the assault was launched without any coordination and this triggered a fierce gun battle between its forces and government troops after security forced encroached into its territories. It said the military assault against the Abu Sayyaf in the village of Kurellem lasted only for two hours, but the exchange of gun fire between MILF forces and the government troops took several hours. AFP chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said there are reports that MILF militants fought alongside Abu Sayyaf rebels in Basilan. He said some MILF members who have relatives with the Abu Sayyaf were involved in the fighting. Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said they are still verifying reports that as many as 32 militants were killed and injured in the fighting. Posted by: ryuge 2014-04-18 |
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