Soldiers overrun MILF camp

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government forces overran yesterday morning another camp of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the boundary of Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, after three days of heavy clashes that left six soldiers and five rebels dead, the military said.

In other developments:

• At least 10 MILF guerrillas were killed in skirmishes with elements of the 4th Scout Ranger Battalion in Calanugas, Lanao del Sur last Monday, Col. Hilario Atendido, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, said.

• Lawmen nabbed the other day an MILF explosive expert while about to rig a homemade explosive at the public market of Midsayap town in North Cotabato.

Atendido said the fighting in Sitio Uno Maraga, Barangay Tapon in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur began last Monday afternoon, between soldiers belonging to the 68th Infantry Battalion and about 200 MILF rebels.

The six slain soldiers were identified as S/Sgt. Pedro Librel, Corporals Celso Camarillo and Antonio Martinez, Pfc. Robert Garcia, and Privates Gilbert Ganacia and Alex Gabo.

Seven soldiers wounded in the clashes were 2Lt. Christian Cabading, Sgt. Fernand Menez, Cpl. Jimmy Sepe, Pfcs. Rizant Lagasca, Rowel Balbin and Ferdinand Carino and Pvt. Sergio Juanillo.

Two MG-520 helicopter gunships pounded MILF positions with rockets, forcing the rebels to withdraw toward Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

Atendido said three companies of the 64th Infantry Battalion overran the headquarters of the 103rd Brigade of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, under the command of Kaguio Bayan, at about 5 a.m. yesterday.

Atendido said Scout Rangers were conducting clearing operation in a remote village in Calanugas, Lanao del Sur when they stumbled upon an MILF lair, triggering a firefight that left 10 Moro rebels dead.

"We have heightened our combat and security patrols because of incessant attacks by MILF rebels," he said.

In Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, government forces recovered the bodies of three soldiers who were tortured and executed by MILF guerrillas.

The soldiers, identified as M/Sgt. Henry Villanueva, Sgt. Rustico Manuel and Sgt. Pedro Ediong, were reported missing in action for five days.

In North Cotabato, Senior Inspector Raul Supiter, police chief of Midsayap town, scene of four recent bomb attacks by suspected MILF rebels, said the suspected bomb expert, Sahid Solon, was arrested while suspiciously roaming the public market, apparently looking for a place where he could plant an improvised explosive.

Seized from Solon were fragmentation grenades, electrical wires and strings, a roll of masking tape and flashlight batteries.

Supiter said Solon could also be behind the Oct. 25 explosion in an eatery in the town proper, which left two residents wounded, and another blast last Oct. 18.– With John Unson