Philippines: Army offensive against Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the south of the country
Government forces have cornered about a hundred suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who are allegedly engaged in criminal activities in Payao town in Zamboanga Sibugay.
“They are cornered and they are in various fighting positions,” said acting Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc on Tuesday, a day after the military launched an air strike followed by a ground assault on the rebels’ lair.
He said the group they are after is involved in kidnapping activities and is under Waning Abdulsalam, whom they said is an MILF member. The group is blamed for last week’s attack on government forces that left four soldiers and three policemen dead.