Troopers retake village from 200 MILF rebels

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An intensified air strike dislodged 200 fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from a barangay hall and a health center they had occupied for two days in a remote village in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa, chief of the Southern Command, said the MILF rebels suffered heavy casualties from the air sorties. However, only two bodies were recovered after the withdrawal of the rebels from Barangay Ned.

"Our field commanders were directed to hit hard and to use all available measures to flush out any illegal move of the MILF," Espinosa said.

He added that at least 900 soldiers from three battalions of the 301st Army Brigade under Brig. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana are now undertaking clearing operations.

Espinosa said the MILF rebels occupied Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu shortly before the preliminary talks between the MILF and the government panels started.

Meanwhile, the two panels are still debating on the agenda of the ongoing negotiations.

Defense Undersecretary and chief government negotiator Orlando Soriano urged the MILF to be specific in its proposed agenda.

"The nine-point agenda that they submitted to us was very broad," he complained.

The technical committee of both panels will met on Feb. 7-9 in Maguindanao to draw up the proper approach to the agenda.

The second round of formal talks is slated on Feb. 21-22. -- With Edith Regalado