ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, 8 February 2005 — Ten government soldiers were killed and about two dozen wounded in fierce clashes yesterday after renegade Moro National Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf militants simultaneously attacked four towns in the southern Philippine island of Jolo.
Officials estimated as many as 700 gunmen, loyal to jailed MNLF leader Nur Misuari, and Abu Sayyaf militants attacked military detachments in the towns of Parang, Panamao, Patikul and Talipao.
Rebel forces also destroyed several government infrastructure projects built by soldiers in Parang.
Three soldiers were killed in Parang and Panamao towns and seven died after rebels ambushed a military truck transporting Marines in Pansul village near Patikul town, the Armed Forces information chief Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual told Arab News.
He said a dozen soldiers were wounded in the ambush. Pascual said the fighting continued well into the night.
Officials in Jolo said the rebel attacks were reportedly in retaliation to the killing of militants in clashes with government forces in Jolo last month.
Military and police forces in Jolo island were put on heightened alert following intelligence reports that the rebels were also planning to attack other towns to divert attention of the authorities. Thousands of mostly Muslim residents have fled their homes fearing they would be trapped in the crossfire.
In Manila, Philippine Marines chief Gen. Orlando Buenaventura said troop reinforcements were sent to the towns to secure vital government installations and to protect the civilians.
“Troops are concentrating their efforts in protecting the civilian population and vital government installations in the area. We are in total control of the situation,” Buenaventura said.
Misuari became governor of the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao island following a 1996 peace deal which he signed as the head of the MNLF with the government, ending a 24-year guerrilla war for Muslim self-rule.
But Misuari, who was dropped as both leader of the MNLF, and candidate for the election by his party, claims the vote is a violation of the deal. The authorities said he sparked the rebellion in an attempt to prevent the election going ahead.
More than 50 people were killed in November 2001 when MNLF and Abu Sayyaf forces also loyal to Misuari, attacked a major military base on Jolo Island. About 200 gunmen also attacked military detachments and the main airport in Jolo town, raining the area with mortar and automatic gunfire.
