Ten separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were killed in Monday's clash in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur, the military said on Tuesday.
The number of casualties was based on "human and signal intelligence and reports in the area," said military spokesman Romeo Brawner, quoted by Philippine TV network GMA News.
Brawner said the firefight in Wao town lasted for six hours, with the MILF rebels withdrawing toward a southwest direction.
No government casualties were reported in the incident, he said.
The rebels were believed to be the main group of wanted MILF sub-commander Abdullah Macapaar.
Government forces have been pursuing Macapaar and two other MILF sub-commanders, Aleem Sulaiman Pangalian and Ameril Umbra Kato, for three months since early August.
The rebels and their followers attacked towns and villages in Mindanao after the government failed to sign a territorial pact with the MILF. Over the past months, more than 100 people have been confirmed killed in the continuous clashes. Military officials estimated that over 200 rebels have been eliminated in the operations against the separatists.
The 12,000-strong MILF has been fighting for a separate Islamic state since 1978. It signed a ceasefire in 2003 with the government, but skirmishes have been going on and off along with the peace talks between the two sides.
Violence escalated in Mindanao after the Philippine Supreme Court halted the signing of the pact scheduled for Aug. 5 in KualaLumpur.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article