January 2, 2002, Philippine Star, Philippines: Muslim militants raid village, flee after army closes in,

January 2, 2002, Philippine Star, Philippines: Muslim militants raid village, flee after army closes in,

Camp Siongco, Maguindanao: Rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) raided yesterday [1 January] a farming village in Maguindanao's Shariff Aguak town and set at least three houses on fire after its owners refused to shell out "revolutionary taxes". The attack forced some 600 families to evacuate to safer grounds.

Witnesses have identified three of the gunmen who belong to the MILF's 207th Brigade. They are Sami Gambal, and Odin and Maki Dumpao.

The rebels fled after sensing that responding Army elements started to close in on them.