MILF admits clash with marines in Basilan, denies role in beheading

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) admitted Wednesday clashing with Philippine Marines in Basilan starting yesterday morning and lasted until late in the afternoon.

Abu Majid, MILF information officer based in this island province, disclosed that the Philippine Marines entered the MILF area in Barangay Guinanta in Tipo-Tipo in complete disregard of the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government.

"We have all the mechanism of the ceasefire that allows no errors for coordination and to prevent this kind of unfortunate incident," he stressed, adding the MILF does not understand why no such coordination was ever attempted by the Philippine Marines.

He, however, completely dismissed allegation from that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that what their troops encountered in Tipo-Tipo town were members of the Abu Sayyaf group.

Majid also disclosed that 23 Marines were killed on the spot including 10 who were "beheaded" by unknown groups after the fighting.

The MILF has ordered an investigation on the beheading, because Islam prohibits mutilation or commission of any atrocity against a fallen enemy.

The MILF admitted that they had four casualties and seven wounded.