December 27, 2001, The Philippine Star, Moro rebs attack 3 Army outposts,

December 27, 2001, The Philippine Star, Moro rebs attack 3 Army outposts,

Some 400 rebels belonging to breakaway groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attacked three military detachments in Maguindanao yesterday, killing one soldier.

The guerrillas, according to reports reaching Camp Aguinaldo, simultaneously attacked the military detachments in Barangay Makulot in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao at about 5 a.m.

Government troopers manning the detachments repulsed the attackers after heavy exchanges of gunfire, although there were still sporadic firefights as a result of the military's pursuit operations.

At least three persons -- two rebels and a soldier -- were killed while another soldier was wounded in the initial encounter, the military report said.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta said soldiers manning the detachments were able to repulse the guerrillas because local residents had forewarned them about the attacks.

"We were able to thwart the attacks because we were tipped off by some people in the (village Tuesday night)," Mabanta said.

He said the rebel-attackers were not the same ones who were involved in the series of assaults in Sulu last November.

The attackers, led by one Commander Gray, are not identified with former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Nur Misuari, he added.

Mabanta said the attacks were meant to harass local political leaders who have been closely cooperating with the military.