Philippine air force planes and helicopters pounded Muslim rebel strongholds Sunday, launching a new offensive against insurgents in the south as the president visited the United States. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo authorized airstrikes against "embedded terrorist cells" of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, before she left for the United States, where she was scheduled to attend a state dinner in her honor at the White House.
| She said she was going to do it. She did. Good for her. |
The MILF is blamed for a series of recent bombings and other attacks in the southern Mindanao region. The rebels have denied involvement in the recent attacks, but MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said they would fight back if the army launched a new offensive. Gen. Narciso Abaya, the military chief of staff, said the assaults target selected strongholds of the separatist group in Mindanao, where suspected assailants have fled following bombings and attacks that have left more than 210 people dead this year. "These are MILF camps in Mindanao where attackers take refuge, rest and get their logistics after committing atrocities," Abaya told radio station DZMM. The head of the military's Southern Command in Zamboanga, Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko, told a news conference that planes dropped six 250-pound bombs on MILF strongholds along the mountainous boundary of southern Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces. Helicopters fired rockets at rebel positions there, military officials said. Following the airstrikes, ground forces moved in, backed by artillery fire, Kyamko said. Intercepted rebel radio messages indicated scores of rebels were killed in the airstrikes, army Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing said.
| Bet they were happy to hear that... |
Kabalu, however, disputed the military claims, saying MILF field commanders have not reported any deaths.
| "Nope. We're invincible. Bombs don't hurt us..." |
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