3 slain in Zamboanga encounter

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines — At least three persons were killed in an encounter between goverment troops and suspected members of a renegade faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte  on Sunday.

Two members of the MILF lost command and a militiaman died in the clash in Sitio Balas, Barangay Poblacion at about 7 a.m., Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said yesterday.

 Militiamen and soldiers of the 20th Special Forces Company were conducting security patrol when they encountered around 40 rebels led by Jabaar Yusof at about 7 a.m.

Beltran said an undetermined number of rebels were also wounded.