Resistance MILF, Philippines Government Troops Clash In Lanao And Cotabato Provinces

26 May 2009

Freedom fighters of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces – Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF) and aggressive troops of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) were entangled in fierce battle in Wao, Lanao Del Sur and Aleosan, Cotabato two days ago.

Firefight flared up at Sitio 9, Barangay Pilintan, Wao, Lanao del Sur following the guerilla attack by the MILF forces at the detachment of 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and paramilitary at around 11pm last May 23, 2009.

The fighting lasted for almost an hour. But no casualty on both sides was reported.

However, in the following morning, at around 9am, the pursuing army troops, paramilitary and armed civilians on board several vehicles were ambushed by MILF guerilla forces at the periphery of the same village. According to MILF report, the uncle of the local chief executive was killed in the encounter.

 Brief exchange of fire took place but the MILF forces withdrew to safety after inflicting damages to one military vehicle and an armored car from using rocket propelled grenade launchers.

At one hand, MILF guerillas attacked the Army / Paramilitary detachment at Sitio Manggahan, Dungguan, Aleosan, Cotabato Province at around 10pm last May 24, 2009. Reports from the field cited one government troop was wounded in the MILF guerilla attack.

In the evening of May 24, 2009, MILF troops also attacked the army detachments of the 54th Infantry Battalion at Datu Gumbay, Datu Piang, Maguindanao and at Barangay Teren-Teren in Alamada Cotabato that claimed four military men wounded in action.

No casualty was reported on the side of the MILF forces in these guerilla counter offensives against AFP outposts the past two days.

Heavy artillery and mortars shelling were unleashed by the AFP troops to counter the sneaky guerilla offensives of the MILF fighters.

Guerilla counter offensives of the MILF have been relatively wearing down the so intensive more than nine months operations of the AFP indiscriminate aggression against the MILF and innocent Bangsamoro people.

The equation proves that military solution cannot and will never thrive in resolving the age-old conflict in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro legitimate struggle for freedom and right to self-determination.

EsinIslam.Com