Hundreds flee Kudarat as fighting continues

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Hundreds of residents of Palimbang, Sultan Kudrarat fled their homes as sporadic fighting continued yesterday between government forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Maj. Sam Deles, spokesman of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said several clashes ensued as the Alpha Company of the Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion moved to flush out about 50 rebels from the vicinity of Barangay Minah in Palimbang town.

The rebels were under a certain Commander Tigra Jakiri of the MILF’s 204th Brigade, he said.

Earlier, an hour-long firefight occurred Sunday in Sitio Tapway, Barangay Minah as patrolling soldiers chanced upon a group of MILF rebels who were on their way to the center of the village.

At least nine MILF rebels were reportedly killed while a soldier, identified as Pfc. Arnold Tambio, was wounded in the clash.

Deles said the clashes came several days after Army troopers were deployed in the area to neutralize the presence of the rebels who were reportedly committing abuses on the residents.

He said residents complained that they could to longer harvest their crops as the rebels would fire at them if they attempt to go to their farms. — Allen Estabillo