3 MILF rebs killed, 2 hurt in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY – Three Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were killed while two others were wounded in an encounter with government forces in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao last Monday. 

Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman of the Armed Forces Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) based here, said men of the Bravo Company of the Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion clashed with rebels belonging to the MILF’s 105th Patrol Base for nearly two hours in Barangay Malingaw. 

Followers of wanted MILF commander Ameril Ombra Kato also clashed with government troops in Barangay Pusao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao yesterday morning.

A number of guerrillas were killed and wounded in the fighting that also resulted in the capture of their “food center,” said Brig. Gen. Orlando Ortiz, head of the Special Operations Command.

The soldiers were reportedly on a clearing operation when they chanced upon the MILF guerrillas in Shariff Aguak town. 

Cabangbang identified the slain rebels as Samer Udtag, Maula Pegkaulan and Sadat Abdulah and those wounded as Suaed Pegkaulan and Raheb Madidis. 

Cabangbang said two soldiers, Pfcs. Rex Reynaldo and Laureano Japson, were also wounded in the firefight.

Troops recovered two automatic rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, MILF uniforms and ammunition.

The government suspended peace talks with the MILF after Kato and Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo attacked several villages last August after the aborted signing of an ancestral domain deal.  – With Jaime Laude