Air strikes against MILF launched

The military launched air strikes against rebel positions in the southern Philippines yesterday in the third day of fighting, military and rebel spokesmen said.

Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said it was not immediately known how many were killed in the government offensive in Maguindanao province, but said additional guerrillas had been deployed to the frontlines.

"We still don't know how many were killed on our side or in the military, but the fighting is fierce," Kabalu said by phone from his base in the south.

"The military is using all sorts of bombs and rockets and mortars and cannons, but we will fight them off squarely on the ground."

Fighting erupted on Friday after the military accused the rebels of harassing civilians in the area, leaving one soldier dead and five others injured.

Army spokesman Major Julieto Ando said MILF rebels were marshalling forces near Sultan Sabarongis and attacked several villages, forcing the military to launch air strikes using MG-520 attack helicopters.

"We will continue to strike until the MILF stop attacking us and innocent civilians," Ando said.
The MILF is massing its forces in the Maguindanao towns of Buldon, Barira and Matanog around its former bastion of Camp Abubakr.

"We also received feedback from religious leaders that since Friday afternoon, dozens of MILF rebels have also been roaming strategic spots in the neighbouring towns of Datu Piang, Shariff Aguak, and Talayan in the second district of Maguindanao," Ando said.

He added that three of the six rebels killed on Friday in Sultan sa Barongis town in Maguindanao were alleged relatives of Pentagon kidnap gang chieftain, Tahir Alonto. He identified the soldier killed in action as Cpl. Dionisio Andio.

The fighting erupted when the rebels opened fire on a group of soldiers and militiamen on their way to a secluded paddy farm in the village of Langapanan in Sultan sa Barongis to check sightings by civilians of MILF forces converging there.

Five of Andio's companions, namely Antonio Estrera, Roland Abon, Delfin Uson, Ricky Espinosa and Randy Ismael were wounded in the gunfight.

Kabalu denied charges that the MILF had plans for launching attacks. He admitted that MILF rebels had indeed converged on Sultan sa Barongis, but clarified they were there for a thanksgiving prayer and not to terrorise civilians.

Hours after the hostilities in Sultan sa Barongis, a group of MILF rebels opened fire on soldiers patrolling the Datu Paglas and Columbio towns.

Sources from the army's 301st brigade said although outnumbered, the patrolling soldiers managed to outmanoeuvre the rebels, who are led by Faisal Kisain who is wanted for a string of heinous crimes, including kidnapping and extortion.

Kisain and his followers fled after army reinforcements arrived, leaving behind an M16 rifle, assorted ammunition and B-40 anti-tank rockets.