MAGUINDANAO – Dozens of police commandos were reported killed and wounded in fierce clashes Sunday with Moro Islamic Liberation Front members in the southern Philippines.
The Special Action Force commandos were pursuing a “high-value” individual on the hinterland village of Tukanalipao in Maguindanao’s Mamasapano town when they intruded inside an MILF base before dawn sparking a firefight for many hours.
Intelligence reports said as many as 37 commandos were feared dead in the encounter, but their bodies have not been recovered due to sporadic clashes. The number of casualties could be higher.
The police sent more reinforcement to rescue the commandos, but was also intercepted by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters near the village. Four BIFF fighters were reported slain in the clashes.
Army troops were sent to the area after police sought help from the military to retrieve the slain commandos.
Police and military officials were not immediately available to give a statement, but the MILF, which signed a peace deal with Manila last year, has confirmed the clashes and blamed the police for the violence.
“There were fierce clashes. Police forces attacked the MILF at two o’clock in the morning and our forces have to defend themselves to save their lives,” MILF Vice Chairman and chief peace negotiator, Mohagher Iqbal, told regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Iqbal said the police did not coordinate with the MILF when it launched so-called law enforcement operations in the town. “There was no prior coordination from us and police just launched the operations,” he said.
The 6th Infantry Division was also not informed of the police operations and unaware of it until soldiers reported heavy clashes before day break and fighting lasted until late in the afternoon.
The fighting erupted just as President Aquino visited Zamboanga City which was the scene of a deadly car bombing blamed on the Abu Sayyaf rebels. Two people were killed and 54 others wounded in the blast outside a disco bar on January 23.
Aquino was briefed by police and military officials on the security situation in Zamboanga and later visited blast victims in hospitals. He was also informed about the clashes in Maguindanao, but it was unknown if he would go to the restive province and meet with security and MILF officials.
His sudden visit also coincided with the arrival of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is advocating federal form of government. Duterte is being pushed by many Filipinos to run for president in next year’s general elections.
Aquino is said to be eyeing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as the government’s presidential bet. Aside from Duterte and Roxas, Vice President Jejomar Binay is also eyeing the presidency. (Mindanao Examiner – With a report from Mark Navales)
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