Five soldiers were wounded in fresh fighting between government security forces and followers of wanted Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo in Lanao del Norte.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, chief of the Armed Forces’ Public Information Office, said the fighting in Barangay Kiazar, Tagoloan town last Tuesday afternoon also resulted in the capture of three of Bravo’s men.
Torres said 50 MILF rebels were involved in the latest fighting, as government troops stepped up their hunt for Bravo, now considered as one of the three most wanted MILF commanders.
“Five of our soldiers were wounded and our troops were able to capture three MILF renegades,” Torres said.
The Lanao del Norte encounter came a day after the burning of a school building by MILF guerrillas under Ameril Ombra Kato, another wanted MILF commander, in Aleosan, North Cotabato.
Three classrooms in Barangay Pagangan were totally burned by the rebels Monday afternoon.
In nearby Sultan Kudarat, some 100 MILF rebels attacked a village in Sen. Ninoy Aquino town yesterday morning, causing panic among residents.
Torres said Army troops are now in full control of Barangay Midtongug after the rebels abandoned it.