Air strikes kill 12 MILF rebels

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Twelve Islamic rebels were killed yesterday in military air strikes aimed at flushing them out of two villages in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, which they plundered and occupied for two weeks.

Local officials told reporters that the rebels, led by Commander Jikiri, chief of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 104th Base Command, retreated to a forested area at the border of Kalamansig and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, carrying their dead and wounded companions.

Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said two MG520 attack helicopters were utilized to selectively pound the spots Jikiri and his men occupied in Kalamansig’s neighboring barangays Sangay and Paril.

Jikiri and his followers twice attacked the two barangays in just three months, forcing local residents to evacuate and then looting the abandoned houses.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu confirmed that a military plane had attacked their forces but would not say if there were any casualties.

He also denied the fighters had planned to attack military positions.

Ranking members of the Kalamansig municipal peace and order council said barangay officials witnessed the fleeing rebels carry no fewer than 12 dead companions and more than a dozen others who were injured when rockets landed near them.

Ando said local officials and the 6th ID had tried to repeatedly convince the rebels to peacefully reposition away from Barangays Sangay and Paril to allow the return of evacuees.

“In total disregard of that peace initiative, Jikiri and his men harassed and attempted to take over a detachment of the 6th ID’s 63rd Reconnaissance Company not far from Barangay Sangay. The airstrikes were just appropriate,” Ando said.

Celestino Octavio, an evacuee, told reporters that the fleeing rebels took with them more than 20 water buffaloes that farmers use in tilling their rice and corn farms in the two affected barangays.

Ando said the 6th ID will tightly guard the two barangays now that Jikiri and his men have left.