Army deploys more soldiers in N. Cotabato town after rebels' attack

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - The military on Monday deployed more soldiers in Barangay Malamote in Matalam town to prevent a repeat of Sunday’s attack by Moro rebels that left a peasant dead and another wounded.

The Matalam police said the rebels, led by Commander Baliuan of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, thrice attacked Barangay Malamote in the past six months in intrusions meant to drive villagers away.

Commander Baliuan is locked in a “rido” (clan war) with armed community leaders in Barangay Malamote.

Erickson Jaylon, chair of Barangay Malamote, told reporters the rebels fired at houses of farmers at one side of the barangay, killing Willy Penirepe and seriously wounding Jay-Ar Maganaka, now confined at a hospital.

The incident prompted the Army’s 602nd Brigade to deploy soldiers in Barangay Malamote to thwart a possible return of the gunmen.

Lt. Col. Audie Edralin, commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Battalion, a component unit of the 602nd Brigade, said soldiers will patrol the periphery of Barangay Malamote everyday as part of the security measures meant to prevent the rebels from coming close.