Moro rebel attacks mar ceasefire

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military has accused the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) of marring the unilateral ceasefire as its guerrillas have engaged in fresh attacks against government troopers in Central Mindanao in the past three days.

Two persons, including a soldier, were wounded in the attacks in Maguindanao and North and South Cotabato. The military believes an undetermined number of rebels were also wounded.

Last Thursday, Lt. Col. Danilo Servando, spokesman of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, said at least 40 Moro rebels attacked a military detachment in Barangay Macabual, Pikit, North Cotabato.

The guerrillas retreated after a 10-minute firefight with elements of the 40th Infantry Battalion.

An hour earlier, 40 other MILF rebels, led by Commanders Talyo and Rambo, clashed with members of the 37th IB in Barangay Alunganen, Datu Piang town.

One soldier and a number of rebels were wounded in the three-hour fighting which erupted when soldiers and civilian volunteers foiled the guerrillas’ plan to attack a military detachment.

Government militiamen also encountered MILF rebels while they were patrolling in Barangay Tasiman, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

On the same day, 30 fully armed guerrillas under Commanders Kamid Kulili and Esmael Sabal harassed residents of Barangay Darampua in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao. — Roel Pareño