MNLF fighters engage Scout Rangers in Basilan firefight – police official
September 12, 2013 9:56am
(Updated 11:29 a.m.) — Members of the Moro National Liberation Front engaged government troops in a firefight in Lamitan City in Basilan province Thursday morning, a police report said.
Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan provincial police director, told GMA News TV's News to Go that the firefight started about 9 a.m., between Army Scout Rangers and an undetermined number of MNLF gunmen in Barangay Campo Uno.
In a radio interview, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman said six people were wounded in the firefight between the Scout Rangers and combined forces of the MNLF, Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Lamitan.
"Yung ano rito, Abu Sayyaf at may mangilan-ngilan na may hawak ng BIFF doon at mangilan ngilan na MNLF," Hataman told dzBB radio, citing initial information reaching him.
Citing initial information, Hataman said two civilian volunteer organization (CVO) members and one Ranger were "slightly wounded." "Sa kabila may tatlong tinamaan."
MNLF forces in Basilan
Meanwhile, Dapilloza estimated the total number of MNLF forces in Basilan to be more than a thousand.
Moreover, he said security forces had received intelligence reports about the movement of MNLF forces to Lamitan, prompting them to make necessary adjustments to prevent surprise attacks.
“Ilang days na rin yung preparation natin sa area,” said Dapilloza .
A separate report from the Army said an earlier firefight occurred in Valentine Detachment in Barangay Magcawa, Tipo-Tipo town, when around 50 armed men, believed to be members of the bandit Abu Sayyaf group and MNLF fighters, harassed government forces.
Capt. Jefferson Somera, spokesman for the 1st Infantry Division said soldiers stationed at Sitio Camalig, Bohe Paho, Ungkaya-Pukan town provided support to the Army detachment at Tipo-Tipo at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear if the suspected MNLF members in Basilan are allied with those now engaging government forces in a standoff in Zamboanga City since Monday.
The standoff in Zamboanga City entered its fourth day Thursday, with the situation still tense and police and soldiers maintaining strict checkpoint operations, dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported. — with a report from Andrei Medina /LBG/KG/RSJ, GMA News