2 soldiers slain in Lanao clash

MANILA, Philippines - Two soldiers were killed while two others were wounded in an encounter with unidentified armed men in the hinterlands of Barangay Sandor in Baloi, Lanao del Norte late Tuesday night, the military said.

Col. Benito de Leon, chief of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, could not say who the armed men were.

Some areas of Lanao del Norte though are believed to be strongholds of Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels under wanted leader Abdurahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.

De Leon said the soldiers were conducting routine security operations when the firefight took place. – James Mananghaya, Lino de la Cruz