Skip to main contentdfsdf

Home/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ August 3, 2000, The Philippine Star, MILF torch houses in Maguindanao raid,

August 3, 2000, The Philippine Star, MILF torch houses in Maguindanao raid,

from web site

False flag

August 3, 2000, The Philippine Star, MILF torch houses in Maguindanao raid,

COTABATO CITY -- Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels torched nine houses in a Muslim community in Barangay Dalasagan in Buluan town, Maguindanao, the other day, and took away farm animals belonging to the residents.

Several hours later, three Army soldiers were wounded after a three-hour gun battle with another band of MILF guerrillas in Barangay Kudal in Pagalungan town. Two of the rebels were killed. Armed Forces Southern Command spokesman Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias said the soldiers were on a routine patrol when they caught the rebels collecting "revolutionary taxes" from barangay residents.

Buluan municipal officials identified the residents whose houses were razed as Manggot Pandita, Masalilay Talati, Kasayunan Tumagan, Kagul Ali Omar, Tongkoy Talagkit, Ismael Kusayan, Bayan Lagya, Bunyan Ampil, and Dyaga Munil. Witnesses said the rebels ordered the residents to bring out their money and food after surrounding the houses and threatening to kill them one after the other.

When some residents refused to obey, the rebels herded them at gunpoint, set fire to their houses and confiscated their farm animals, witnesses added. The rebels reportedly fled to a nearby marshland after sensing troops from the Army's 47th Infantry Battalion, backed by militiamen, were closing in on them.

Covarrubias identified the apparently emaciated rebels who were slain in the second incident as Ben Amir Mangalmas and Mangatang Alwayen, both teenagers and high school students. The two had antibiotic capsules and medicine for tuberculosis in their pockets, he added. Covarrubias said Mangalmas was a student of Grimo Memorial School in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, while Alwayen was enrolled at Mangarap Islamic Foundation Polytechnic College in Batulawen, Pikit in North Cotabato. The slain rebels were identified through their school IDs, he added. Covarrubias said the wounded soldiers were Cpl. Aguido Tubiado of the Army's 40th Infantry Battalion, and militiamen Pelaez Paglas and Faisal Kapal. Soldiers recovered from the scene a Belgian-made PAL 7.62 mm assault rifle, a rocket launcher, and a dozen rounds of B-40 rockets, which the rebels abandoned after their hasty retreat, he added.

Covarrubias said the rebels fled toward the Liguasan marsh, carrying with them their wounded comrades when reinforcements from the 40th Infantry Battalion arrived at the scene. Meanwhile, Air Force helicopters strafed hundreds of MILF fighters who had attacked an Army detachment in Barangay Cudal, Pagalungan town in Maguindanao, killing four rebels and wounding scores of others.

Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva said ground troops could not give the exact number of rebel casualties as most of the wounded guerrillas were dragged away while the fighting was going on. -- John Unson, Lino dela Cruz, Roel Pareño, Mike Frialde, AP, and AFP

Would you like to comment?

Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.

stevenwarran

Saved by stevenwarran

on Nov 15, 12