7 MNLF men killed after Palawan shootout with troops

MANILA, Philippines - Seven Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters were killed after a shootout with Marines and Navy commandos out to serve a warrant of arrest on their commander in Palawan yesterday.

Their commander, Abdulla Abdurajak alias Pa Guru, wanted on illegal possession of firearms charges, was also killed in the four-hour firefight.

A Marine was wounded in the shootout, according to Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner.

Policemen accompanying the troops arrested two MNLF fighters after the shootout, according to Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said Navy boats have circled Marabon island to prevent other MNLF fighters from escaping by sea.

The MNLF fighters took hostages after occupying the mosque in Barangay Bancalaan in Balacbac town, and extorted money from terrified residents, he added.

During the firefight, some MNLF fighters fled towards Bugsok Island in Balacbac aboard motorized bancas, according to Espina.

Espina said troops and policemen led by Inspector Romerico Remo were on their way to serve the warrant of arrest on Abdurajak at around 8:20 a.m. when they encountered a heavily armed band, who fired at them.

Troops and policemen seized two Garand rifles, an M14 rifle, an M79 grenade launcher and a caliber .45 pistol from the scene, he added.

Brawner said the Marines and Navy commandos stormed Matanggule island in Palawan to remove the MNLF fighters.

Last Saturday, the MNLF fighters attacked the barangay and occupied the local mosque, and threatened the devotees with harm if they would not leave, he added.

Brawner said the first shootout took place at around 6:45 a.m. when policemen and troops tried to serve the warrant on Abdurajak.

Two MNLF fighters were killed in the fighting, he added.

Brawner said the second firefight broke out at around 10 a.m., leaving five more MNLF fighters dead.

Palace welcomes Misuari help

Malacañang welcomed yesterday the efforts of Nur Misuari to end clashes between the MNLF and troops in Palawan.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said it was a good sign that Misuari offered to help bring a resolution to the conflict, which shows that “the MNLF chairman does not condone these activities.”

Remonde said the fighting with the MNLF in Palawan with the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan would not spill over to Metro Manila.

“We would like to assure you that all these have been taken into consideration and all the necessary security measures and precautions have been undertaken to ensure the safety of our residents in the metropolitan areas,” he said. – With Mike Frialde, Marvin Sy