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| Southeast Asia |
| Rebel Commander Killed in Philippines |
| 2003-03-26 |
| Philippine troops killed a senior commander of the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group in a raid on his hideout, the military said Wednesday. Salip Asman Halipa, who was allegedly involved in a series of kidnappings and murders in southern Basilan province, was killed late Tuesday on the islet of Malamawi. The raid followed a tip from fishermen. There were no government casualties and troops were pursuing guerrillas who escaped. Halipa had a $18,350 bounty on his head. It's Miller Time! It was not immediately certain if he was involved in the May 2001 kidnapping of three Americans and 17 Filipinos from a resort island. One of the Americans was beheaded by the guerrillas and another died in a military operation that led to the rescue of the third. In a separate clash, Muslim rebels fired rocket-propelled grenades into a row of houses in a southern farming village Wednesday, killing at least five residents and wounding several others, officials said. Moro Islamic Liberation Front spokesman Eid Kabalu acknowledged the rebels attacked New Antique village in M'lang town, but said the target was a military detachment. Army troops later confronted the attackers and killed five rebels in a gunbattle, army spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando said. It's easier attacking civilians, the army shoots back. Lito Pinol, vice mayor of the predominantly Christian town, said three of the dead villagers were shot while they were sleeping. Two other residents, including a child, also were killed, he said. That would be the "military detachment", I guess. |
| Posted by:Steve |