World | Philippines
130,000 flee new clashes in the South
Three government soldiers and 15 Muslim rebels were killed, dozens from both camps were also wounded, and 130,000 residents were displaced as 1,500 rebels refused to leave five of the nine Christian villages that were over taken in North Cotabato, southern Philippines since July, authorities said on Monday.
- By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:22 August 11, 2008
- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) comprises Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan on Mindanao and Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.
- ARMM has a population of 4.1 million based on 2007 census.
- The creation of a Muslim homeland dates back to the 1970s when Manila signed a deal with the separatist group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
- Muslims were granted self-rule in limited areas in the south, creating an executive, legislative and court systems and allowing the formation of regional security forces supervised by Manila.
Manila: Three government soldiers and 15 Muslim rebels were killed, dozens from both camps were also wounded, and 130,000 residents were displaced as 1,500 rebels refused to leave five of the nine Christian villages that were over taken in North Cotabato, southern Philippines since July, authorities said on Monday.
Renewed clashes between government soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) rebels forced 18,633 families or 129,000 people to leave their homes. About 13,000 families of 89,960 people were brought to 43 evacuation centres.
The rest stayed with their relatives in safer areas, said Glen Rabonza, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.
Milf commander Umbar Kato and 1,500 men of the Milf's 205th base command continued occupying villages in Aleosan, Libungan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, and Pikit towns in North Cotabato, reported Cardozo Luna, vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
"Last Friday, Kato's men had left four Christian villages, in response to the government's ultimatum. But they re-positioned themselves and occupied five other villages where they also pillaged and burned houses of many Christian residents," said Luna.
"Umbra Kato is no longer following orders from the main Milf leaders. Authorities considered him and his men as Milf's lost command," said Luna.
Explaining what happened, Eid Kabalu, spokesman of the Milf, said that Kato's men were forced to retaliate because they were not given safe conduct passes.
Armoured vehicles
"They were pulling out last Friday until Saturday, but pro-government militiamen had threatened them. Armoured vehicles unloaded troops and supplies in the outskirts of Midsayap, military attack planes flew overhead and dropped small bombs," said Kabalu.
"The Army wants all the Milf residents who have been staying in the places that were affected by the clashes, to leave. That's unfair. That will not happen," said Mohagher Iqbal, Milf chief peace negotiator.
- with inputs from Rafael Juan, Correspondent, Mindanao
Troubled region
-Reuters
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