You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Terror Networks
Army - MILF clash in Philippines
2002-03-25
  • Army soldiers clashed with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) gunnies in part of the MILF’s Camp Abubakar in Buldon town of Maguindanao, part of which had been captured by the military. The military claimed that four separatist rebels and one soldier were killed. Local army spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando said MILF fighters fired mortars toward an army detachment, prompting a swift response by the soldiers. He said five improvised land mines apparently planted by the separatists to slow down pursuing troops were recovered.

    An MILF commander had a different story. Commander Gordon Saifullah of the MILF’s GHQ Division made no mention of any casualty, admitting army troops were able to penetrate the MILF’s Sultan Base inside Camp Abubakar. But, he said, the "intruders" beat a hasty retreat after separatist fighters mounted a counterattack and threw a cordon around them. He said the army men have not gotten any support for the past three days and MILF fighters were raring to teach them a lesson. However, Saifullah said, the "intruders" managed to slip out of the cordon on Saturday night, taking advantage of a heavy downpour. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said "the assault on Sultan Base is a test mission to determine the presence of MILF forces in the elevated parts of Camp Abubakar."
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

    00:00