COTABATO CITY, Philippines, 29 August 2004 — At least 10 people had been confirmed dead and 13 others were reported injured in a fresh clashes yesterday between government forces and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern island of Mindanao, the military and separatist group said.
Eight of those killed were army soldiers and militiamen and two were MILF fighters. Three of the injured were also MILF members and the rest were either military, police or Cafgus (militiamen),” Arab News learned.
According to the MILF, the deadly gunbattle took place at about 3:20 before dawn in barangay Linantangan in the town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao province, between elements of army’s 39th Infantry Battalion and members of the MILF’s 109th Base Command.
MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said fighting started when army soldiers and local militiamen led by barangay chairman Kimpen Bangaran searched the houses of relatives of MILF fighters in the interior part of Linantangan.
The report said that when the MILF fighters responded to reports that the raiders were taking properties their relatives, fighting erupted. The MILF said Bangadan was out to avenge the burning of his house by unidentified men on Aug. 21.
“Earlier this year, two nephews of Bangadan identified as Dautin and Hadji Faisal reportedly took away three firearms issued to militiamen under Bangadan’s command because of a long-standing obligation which he failed to settle down despite repeated demands,” said the MILF report.
The MILF noted that while Bangadan was out to destroy his personal enemies, his acts could imperil the peace process.
The fighting erupted a day after government and MILF leaders said the prospects of a peace agreement to end the so-called Mindanao conflict had become brighter with the withdrawal by state prosecutors of criminal charges against separatist leaders in connection with the Davao bombings of 2002.
On the other hand, MILF fighters have offered to cooperate with the government in pursuing criminal gangs in their area of operation. The MILF is also conducting briefings among its fighters and supporters to educate them about the ongoing peace talks.
On yesterday’s gunbattle, the military said the rebels “technically” did not violate the cease-fire because those who attacked the outpost were former guerrillas.
“Our troops fought back. It was okay because no one was hurt,” said Col. Franklin del Prado, spokesman for the army’s 6th Infantry Division, said those involved were renegade MILF guerrillas, who opened fire first at an army outpost outside Mamasapano town.
Del Prado also denied Kabalu’s claim that the military used bomber planes and fired cannons at the village and that eight soldiers were killed. Del Prado said military planes only conducted reconnaissance and did not bomb the village, but he admitted the army fired three cannon rounds.
He refused further comment on the alleged raid pending an investigation.
The rebels and the government agreed to a truce last year and have planned to resume formal negotiations to end the Muslim armed struggle for self-rule, but no date has been set.
