2 soldiers wounded in clash with MILF men

COTABATO CITY, Philippines —  Two soldiers were wounded in an encounter with suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Sumisip, Basilan on Monday.

Col. Domingo Gobway of the Army’s 101st Brigade said the clash occurred when soldiers asked the MILF members to remove the checkpoints set up by the group in Barangay Sukaten.

Barangay officials had earlier passed a resolution urging authorities to dismantle checkpoints, saying their presence caused tension among villagers.

Gobway said municipal officials sought police and military intervention on the security issue.

The government and the MILF should coordinate their activities in the areas covered by the ceasefire agreement they had forged.