Rebels kill 2 soldiers in Lanao del Norte

MANILA, Philippines - Two soldiers died and four others were wounded in an attack staged yesterday by suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, the military said.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said the troops under the 5th Infantry Battalion had been traversing the Tukuran-Parang road in Barangay Payong at about 11 a.m. when they were attacked.

The battalion’s commander, Lt. Col. Bagnus Gaerlan, was among the troops that were waylaid but was unharmed.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc earlier said three soldiers had been killed and three others were wounded while Gaerlan was unharmed.

The Army initially reported three soldiers, including an officer identified only as Capt. Barnes, had been killed.

Cabunoc clarified later in the afternoon that Barnes was only wounded but is in critical condition.

The Army has yet to release the identities of other soldiers who were killed and wounded during the incident but initial reports identified the two other wounded as certain SSgt. Bayong and SSgt. Tamayo.

Cabunoc said Gaerlan led his troops to facilitate the surrender of two MILF rebels.

“Identities of the assailants are unknown but the MILF has forces roaming around in the area. They don’t have area of temporary stay in that town,” Cabunoc said.

Under existing ceasefire regulations, the military cannot enter the MILF’s area of temporary stay (ATS) without proper coordination with the ceasefire panels.

Cabunoc said they are still determining the motive of the perpetrators of the attack.

“If proven that the MILF is behind the ambush, this is a clear ceasefire violation,” Cabunoc said in Filipino.

Col. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade, has sent a platoon of reinforcements backed by armored vehicles in the area. The military is still conducting pursuit operations against the perpetrators.– With Roel Pareño