Military pounds MILF rebels in Lanao Norte

BALO-I, Lanao del Norte - Joint forces of the Army and Air Force launched yesterday morning a ground and air assault here to flush out Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas from two communities.

Brig. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commanding officer of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said the military was responding to the clamor of this town's officials and residents to drive away the Moro rebels who have been extorting money from them and stealing their farm animals.

MILF guerrillas, numbering around 500, have massed in Pacalundo and Apo Hill and are believed girding for an attack on the town proper.

Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, commander of the First Marine Expeditionary Brigade based in Kauswagan town, some 15 kilometers from this municipality, said the MILF rebels have to abandon their positions by Saturday or face a more massive assault.

Teodosio said the MILF rebels, mostly staying in Pacalundo, are led by a certain Commander Arderson. Pacalundo is separated from the Balo-i poblacion by the Agus River that runs 36 kilometers from Marawi to Iligan.

"The MILF does not have the capability to stop our armored amphibious vehicles and the Marines are capable of crossing rivers and other bodies of water," he said.

He said local residents have asked the military "to apply the full force of the law" against the MILF guerrillas "so they can return to their normal lives."

The military and the National Power Corp. have tightened security at the Agus 4 hydroelectric plant and transmission towers in the province.

Moro rebels destroyed three transmission towers in Pacalundo recently, cutting off power in the Abaga-Agus transmission.

The area still has no electricity since the presence of the guerrillas has prevented Napocor personnel from repairing the damaged towers.