MILF kills 11, takes 6 soldiers captive

ILIGAN CITY — At least 11 people were killed and one was wounded after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked three towns in Lanao del Norte at dawn yesterday.

Guerrillas of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) also captured six Army soldiers and a militiaman during a raid in a mainly Christian barangay.

Seven residents were killed in Barangay Tingin-Tingin in Kauswagan town, while four died and one was wounded in Barangay Bualan in Tubod town.

The names of the fatalities were not immediately available.

BIAF rebels have not yet determined what to do with their captives whom they described as "prisoners of war," but gave assurance that the captives would not be harmed.

Army Col. Ernesto Boac, Lanao del Norte military commander, said the soldiers and militiaman were taken prisoner after 100 MILF rebels attacked Barangay Sigayan in Balo-i town.

The "prisoners of war" were identified as Carlito Tabilao, Angelito Reyes, Eboy Tabelero, a certain Oniona, Juanito Waga and Margarito Canete.

MILF guerrillas from different provinces are massing in Lanao del Norte in preparation for an attack on military outposts and vital installations, he added.

Troops, backed by at least two helicopter gunships, are scouring the province in search of the guerrillas and their captives.

Abdurahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, who led the raiders, said any decision on the fate of the soldiers and militiaman would depend on vice chairman Mohamad al Haj Murad, the MILF’s military chief.

"I want to make it clear and I promise the families of the captured soldiers that no harm will befall them and we will not harm them until we get an order from above," he told The STAR in an interview via mobile phone.

On the other hand, MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the Bangsamoro guerrillas will "take good care" of the captured soldiers and militiaman.

"Brother Murad already ordered our troops not to harm the soldiers but to secure and take good care of them. It is not our policy to execute prisoners of war. If ever this report is true, as we are still verifying it, our policy is to turn them over to the (International Committee of the Red Cross)," he said in an interview via mobile telephone.

However, Macapaar threatened to kill the soldiers and militiaman, either by firing squad or beheading, if the military will continue attacking MILF camps in Mindanao.

The MILF killed a military informant in Lanao del Norte in 1997, he added. — With reports from Jaime Laude, Roel Pareño, AFP