COTABATO CITY, 11 May 2003 — At least 17 army soldiers were killed and several others wounded in a two separate attacks by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters yesterday in the southern Philippines, the group said yesterday.
An MILF press statement said 8 soldiers were killed instantly in an ambush attack in Sarakan village of Matanog town, Maguindanao, at 3 a.m. Only one guerrilla was injured during the attack.
The statement said 9 soldiers were killed in fighting at Upper Dilimbingan village in Munai town, Lanao del Norte.
Army troops are pursuing rebel units led who took civilian hostages in the town of Maigo in Lanao del Norte last month after attacking a military outpost.
The military had no report yesterday of the supposed incidents.
On the other hand, the MILF report did not mention anything about a report by the military that three separatist surrendered to authorities on Friday. Maj. Julieto Ando, an army spokesman based in Maguindanao, said among those who surrendered were Jonathan Tayan, Ali Alay, and Olbes Tayan, all based in Sarangani province.
