ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines – Government forces yesterday overran a suspected rebel camp in an islet off this city following heavy bombardment and ground attacks overnight.
Elsewhere, five soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded on the 18th day of fighting against the Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Six hostages were rescued in the village of Sta. Catalina as 45 rebels were captured by government troops following the assault.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, designated spokesman for the ongoing military operations here, said the continuing air assault helped troops in securing Camp Sumatra, a suspected MNLF camp located in a mangrove islet off the coastal villages of Rio Hondo and Talon-Talon.
“The troops captured the area following the intense ground and air support for two days,†Zagala said.
The military said the rebels could have used the islet as staging point for the attack on this city.
Zagala said the aerial attack came following reports of unidentified armed men in the area.
“The operations have prevented them from reaching the other (MNLF) group in the mainland,†he said.
Troops immediately raised the Philippine flag in the camp after clearing operations.
The troops recovered several camouflage uniforms with insignias of the MNLF, combat boots, various ammunition, a wooden-hulled motor launch and four pump boats.
The military said the troops also discovered four shallow graves at the site where four slain rebels were hastily buried. The site was bloodstained and smelly, confirming the camp had been used by the rebels, officials said.
Troops also captured 45 rebels following separate night assaults in the villages of Sta. Catalina, Rio Hondo and Mariki.
The military said Misba Baladji, a female MNLF commander, led the group of rebels in surrendering.
The rebels, a number of them injured, gaunt and hungry, were forced to surrender to the troops in Sta. Catalina, Zagala said.
He said these rebels were in addition to the 38 others who were captured earlier in the day.
The assault, however, cost the government three more dead and six wounded during the fierce firefight in Sta. Catalina.
“It was just unfortunate we have suffered three killed in action and six others wounded in the encounter,†Zagala said.
Two Marines were also killed by rebel fire in Rio Hondo early yesterday.
Three MNLF rebels were also killed in the firefight and five soldiers wounded. Government forces now have 24 fatalities and 185 wounded since the fighting broke out in Zamboanga City on Sept. 9.
At least 12 civilians have been killed and 72 others wounded.
A total of 184 civilians have been rescued from the MNLF rebels who used them as human shields.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared Wednesday that the Zamboanga crisis is nearing its conclusion as the troops, after 17 days of combat, are now shifting to clearing operations to dislodge the rebels.
The MNLF is still holding on with pockets of resistance in the villages of Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina and Rio Hondo.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, acting AFP information chief, said the surrender of large numbers of rebels has left MNLF commander Habier Malik with a handful of loyal supporters.
Malik orchestrated the assault on Zamboanga City.
Cabunoc said the crisis is expected to end very soon since the rebels are running out of ammunition aside from being tired and hungry.
Misled
Most of the MNLF rebels who surrendered said they were duped by their leaders into joining a supposedly peaceful march in Zamboanga.
Baladji, a 69-year-old female commander of the MNLF who took over her dead husband’s role in the rebel group, said they were promised P15,000 by a certain Haider to join a peaceful march to Zamboanga City hall.
Baladji described Haider as a trusted deputy of MNLF chairman Nur Misuari. She said Haider also promised them funds for a seaweed livelihood project for joining the march.
However, the planned peace march turned into a deceitful plan when they were ordered to arm themselves and brace for an attack.
“I armed myself with a .45 caliber pistol and have been in hiding the whole time before we surrendered,†Baladji said.
Another young rebel, who identified himself as Adjul, said they were recruited by the group of Malik. He said Malik promised him and the others P15,000 with firearms and uniforms to join the peace march.
Adjul said those from Sulu were promised higher pay while those from Basilan claimed they were just offered P10,000 each.
Adjul, gaunt and hungry, said they were deceived by Misuari and his men.
“We were deceived. I could have earned as a motorcycle driver and live peacefully,†he said.
Baladji, on the other hand, said they wanted to surrender earlier but Malik and Haider warned them against it by killing three of their companions.
According to Baladji and Adjul, they were forced to fight the government troops or end up being shot by their leaders. – With Jaime Laude, Perseus Echeminada