SULTAN SA BARONGIS, Philippines, 8 December 2002 — One soldier was killed and nine others were seriously injured in fighting with separatists in the southern province of Maguindanao, an official said yesterday.

Euphoric over their initial victory, an official of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) taunted the soldiers to advance further if they want more punishment.

“MILF forces are ready to crush the advancing soldiers,” said separatist spokesman Eid Kabalu, who accused the army troops of starting the fight.

“The soldiers targeted our positions, so we have to defend ourselves, that’s why fighting is going on,” he said.

Kabalu told Arab News that the military “atrocities” began at about 11 a.m. on Friday when army soldiers raided the village of Langgapawan in Sultan Sa Barongis town as residents were commemorating the 3rd day of the death of a local resident.

The solemnity of the gathering was disturbed as the soldiers indiscriminately fired their guns toward residents, instantly killing a woman identified as Sarifa Gampong, wife of certain Tamano, he said.

Because of the raid, Kabalu said, MILF fighters in a nearby village reacted and fought the soldiers.

Although there was a halt in the fighting as of yesterday, he said, the soldiers are so close to MILF positions.

“Out fighters are literally face to face with troops in Buldon and battles could erupt unless the military pull out their forces and leave us in peace,” he said.

Kabalu said he himself saw soldiers on board six trucks, reinforced by tanks and armored vehicles, and were on their way to Buldon town yesterday. The military set up command posts in the area.

Army Maj. Julieto Ando, spokesman for the military in central Mindanao province, had a different story to tell.

He said MILF fighters began their offensive against government forces just as the holy month of Ramadan ended, and the soldiers have no choice but to defend their position at all costs.

“We will not allow the MILF to hurt civilians or attack our soldiers. We will also attack them until they stop,” Ando said.

“Military operations are still ongoing. The rebels are still in the area and we expect more clashes and escalation of MILF attacks against civilian and military targets,” he told newsmen. In the fighting on Friday, he said, attack helicopters blasted rebel positions with rockets.