3 killed in MILF attack in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Heavily armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked yesterday a village on the outskirts of Lamitan, Basilan and killed three people, including a female, the military said here.

The rebels also took three hostages and used them as human shields, but subsequently released them as they escaped, officials said.

The military said two of those killed were members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu).

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, who rushed to the attack site, said the rebels, reportedly joined by the Abu Sayyaf, swooped down on Barangay Bagueniao at about 6 a.m. Saturday and fired randomly on civilians.

“The rebels fired on whoever they see as they passed by the village while residents were mostly taking breakfast,” Furigay said.

Nick Castro, chief security of Furigay, identified the victims as Nonie Sahilon, Cesar Alberto, both Cafgu members, and Alberto’s wife Dahlia. The Albertos are survived by their five children.

1Lt. Steffani Cacho, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said the rebels, led by a certain Commander Usman, came from Tipo-Tipo. They later opened fire on a clusters of houses at Barangay Balobo, a predominantly Christian village.

Government troops under the 7th Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) launched a pursuit operation but failed to catch the rebels.

Cacho said a few hours later, the MILF and the Abu Sayyaf were monitored to be in Panandacan.

Furigay said at least 128 civilians were forced to evacuate following the attack and have refused to return to their homes due to the tension there.

The displaced civilians were temporarily housed in an evacuation center in Lamitan town. – Roel Pareno