2 killed, 4 wounded in Lanao ambush

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A government soldier and a sub-commander of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed and 4 others wounded yesterday in an apparent ambush staged by MILF in Lanao del Sur, the military said today.

When soldiers from government troop's 65th and 51st Infantry Battalions were on their routine patrol in Marantao town in Lanao del Sur around 4 p.m. local time Friday, the MILF elements suddenly opened fired on the soldiers with no apparent reasons, killing a soldier and wounding two others on the spot.

The soldiers return fire until reinforcement arrived. During the one-hour firefight, the MILF sub-commander Javier Macagaan was reportedly killed and two of his aides were wounded, said Captain Frank Suelto, spokesperson of the military's 1st Division.

The body of Macagaan and two wounded were retrieved by their relatives while the wounded soldiers were brought to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention.The soldiers stay in stable condition, said the authorities.