4 MILFs, soldier die in new clash

DAVAO CITY - At least five Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels and one government soldier were killed in renewed clashes last Sunday at Barangays Batangan and Matampay in Matungaw, Lanao del Norte.

Despite the fresh clashes, peace negotiations with the MILF would proceed, according to Ambassador Manuel Yan of the government's negotiating panel.

Brig. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the Army's 4th infantry division, said the hostilities started when elements of the joint forces of the 67th infantry battalion and the Scout Rangers chanced upon more than 150 MILF rebels believed to be with the MILF's 303rd brigade led by a certain Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.

Bravo's team was reportedly the same group that laid siege to the municipal hall of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte last March 17, resulting in the death of four civilians.

Military intelligence bared that Bravo's group was set to attack the nearby town of Linamon and destroy power lines and facilities of the National Power Corp. along the way.

Cimatu said the firefight started at around 2 p.m. Sunday and lasted for almost five hours. Four other government soldiers were also slightly wounded during the encounter.

Cimatu said the military would continue to run after Bravo's group.

Yan said that peace talks with the MILF would proceed on May 2 as scheduled despite the breakout of fresh hostilities.

"We are going on as scheduled. The technical working group is meeting to lay out the agenda," he said. -