Military repulses MILF counter-attack in Lanao del Norte

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops repulsed a pre-dawn attack by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels trying to overrun a militia detachment in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, officials said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, 1st Army “Tabak” Division chief, said troops had counterattacked with artillery that forced the rebels to withdraw their assault on the civilian volunteer detachment in Barangay Tingintingin.

There was no immediate report of casualties from the rebels, Pajarito said.

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade said the outnumbered militiamen were able to call for artillery support to repulse the rebels who were also trying to bomb and topple Tower 22 of the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) in the area.

“During clearing operations, our troops discovered an explosive devise already attached at the base of Tower 22, which is still operational,” De Leon said.

Officials said the rebels are trying to divert the military offensive in the province and launched the attack, a day after an MILF main camp fell under the control of government forces.

The rebel camp, located in the dense jungle slopes of Mt. Gurain sprawling the boundaries of the two Lanao provinces, was said to be the latest hiding place of Abdurahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, the leader of the MILF’s 102nd Base Command.

The government has put up a P10-million bounty for the capture of Bravo who led the attacks in several towns of Lanao del Norte that left more than 30 civilians killed and displaced thousands of villagers.

Security forces are also hunting down MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato for attacking villages in North Cotabato last Aug. 18, shooting and hacking to death dozens of civilians. He also has a P10-million bounty on his head.

Police intelligence sources said the MILF is planning to launch “jihad” attacks in Christian communities in the cities of Zamboanga, Davao and Cotabato.

Reports also revealed MILF supporters are campaigning at Muslim communities in Metro Manila to get the consensus on plans for a holy war.

Central Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio Jr. said police units have been deployed in strategic areas in the cities to avert any possible attacks from the MILF.

Serapio met with local officials in General Santos City discussing police deployment plans to secure vital installations in Central Mindanao against possible attacks from the MILF.

Col. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the newly designated commander of the Army’s 102nd Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani, also vowed to implement tighter security measures to protect the province from being attacked anew by the MILF.

Aside from the MILF, Cruz said steps had been taken to neutralize the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the region.

“NPA rebels are also another threat to the security and business activities of the towns of Tampakan and Tupi in South Cotabato, Maasim and Maitum in Sarangani. We are assuring you now that our Armed Forces are really doing their best to neutralize their movements there,” Cruz said. – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ramil Bajo