MNLF 'spotter' killed, another captured in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - A suspected "spotter" of the Nur Misuari faction of the  Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels was killed while another was captured in a police operation in Tetuan district Monday afternoon, according to a police official.

Chief Inspector Elmer Acuña, police station 6 commander, said his police forces were conducting roving patrol when they spotted the three suspects acting suspiciously.

Acuña said then policemen accosted the suspects and questioned the trio on their presence in the area.

He said while one of the cops was checking the identification card and cellphone of the one of the suspects, one of the latter's companions tried to grab the cop's M4 rifle,  prompting a brief scuffle before the suspect escaped.

The policemen shot and killed one of the suspects while another was captured. The other suspect, however,  escaped on board a motorcycle.

Police said the cellphone of the slain suspect was containing pictures of the soldiers' location and position and was carrying various identification cards.

Acuña said they were suspecting the killed suspect was one of the MNLF spotters deployed to provide information on the government forces' movement.

Meanwhile, three rounds of mortar, believed to be fired by the rebels, hit separate location, including a private school gymnasium Monday afternoon in Tetuan district, police said.

Police said the first two rounds of mortar hit a pond in Morning Breeze Tugbungan  and did not explode while the other hit an apartment type, causing minor damage.

The third round of mortar hit and exploded at the Summit Center, gymnasium of the Universidad de Zamboanga.

The explosion left a crater on the thick concrete wall and shattered the window panes of the structure but no one was reported hurt.

The management of the campus refused media access and declined to provide information.

The Misuari faction of the MNLF has been on the run and is firing mortars indiscriminately toward the civilian  areas.

Authorities said the rebels are seeking to delay pursuing troops and are employing  diversionary tactics to ease the military pressure against the main group of the rebels still hiding in the battle site at Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara, two villages located less than a kilometer away from the seat of the government and commercial district of the city. - Roel Pareño