Eight hurt in heavy fighting in Philippines

Written by Writer on Monday, October 13th, 2008

Eight hurt in heavy fighting in Philippines

AFP

MANILA –– Eight soldiers, including an officer, were wounded in intense fighting with Muslim separatist rebels in the southern Philippines Sunday, the military said.

Troops backed by two armored vehicles clashed with about 60 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas near the town of Mamasapano in the southern island of Mindanao, it said.

The MILF suffered heavy casualties, said army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres, citing initial reports on the field.

Among those wounded on the government’s side was an officer, he added.

The MILF has been engaged in heavy gunbattles with troops on Mindanao since early August, after the Supreme Court stopped a deal with government that would have given the MILF control over a large autonomous region.

MILF rebels then raided dozens of villages and towns on Mindanao, leaving more than 60 civilians and soldiers dead. The government suspended talks with the group and President Gloria Arroyo diverted more troops to the south.

The government last week said it remained open to returning to the peace negotiating table with the 12,000-strong MILF, while reiterating that the rebels lay down their arms and surrender guerrilla leaders behind the attacks.

Over half a million people have been affected by the fighting and aid agencies have said the unfolding humanitarian crisis was straining resources at the local government level.