Military: 20 MILF rebels killed in Lanao clash

CAGAYAN DE ORO City — Twenty Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas and a soldier were killed in a five-hour shootout in a remote barangay in Lanao del Sur last week, belated military reports said yesterday.

The military said 10 other rebels, who were wounded in the clash last Wednesday in Barangay Inoma, Calanugas town, later died and were buried by relatives Friday.

The casualty on the government side was Army Pfc. Jess Tupa, while the dead rebels have not been identified.

The wounded soldiers were taken to Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

Maj. Francis Balabat, commander of the Army’s 67th Infantry Battalion, said the gunbattle started when hundreds of MILF rebels harassed the 67th IB’s Bravo Company at around 5 a.m.

"At the onset, my men thought they were only engaging about 30 rebels, but as the exchange of fire dragged on more MILF rebels came to view," he said.

Balabat said the MILF rebels, led by Commander Saydamin of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, along with reinforcements from various towns in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte had been waiting to attack government troops.

After the gunbattle ended at past 10 a.m., Tupa lay dead, while eight other soldiers were wounded, he added.

Balatbat said the shootout lasted for five hours because the MILF rebels refused to leave their dead and wounded comrades.

The rebels were only forced to withdraw when troops were already advancing towards their positions, he added.

Balatbat said troops recovered from the scene five Armalite and three Garand rifles, five empty shells of rocket-propelled grenades and hundreds of bullets for Armalite and Garand rifles.

Meanwhile, Col. Ernesto Boac, commander of the Army’s 401st Brigade, said troops guarding the Narciso Ramos Highway have been reinforced to avert possible MILF attacks.

The strategic highway, connecting Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Cotabato provinces, was the scene of heavy fighting between government troops and MILF rebels in 2000 during an all-out-war launched by then President Joseph Estrada.

In Lanao del Sur, five MILF commanders and 133 guerrillas surrendered to the 67th IB in Malabang, Friday, the 4th Infantry Division said.

They are Mama Landoc alias Rambo, Abusakir Amin Imam alias Abusakir, Jomar Maruhom alias Jomar, Manobra Yahyah alias Buaya and Amirona Alando alias Mercy.

Lt. Col. Francisco Simbajon of the Army‘s 401st Civil Affairs team, said the surrenderees turned over to the military at least 109 assorted high-powered firearms which included recoilless propelled grenades, hand grenades, cal. 30 light machinegun, Armalite, M14, and Garand rifles, Carbine, M79 grenade launcher, Thompson and cal. 45 pistol. – Bong Fabe, Lino dela Cruz, Delon Porcalla