3 hurt as Moro renegades attack Army base in North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 4): 3 hurt as Moro renegades attack Army base in North Cotabato

Three renegade Moro rebels were wounded after they harassed an Army base in Midsayap, North Cotabato Wednesday, the Army said.

About 30 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) fired at a roadside detachment of the 40th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Ulandang, Midsayap, North Cotabato on Wednesday night, according to Colonel Roy Galido, 40th IB commander.

No one was reported hurt on government side but residents told soldiers that the attackers were seen dragging their wounded or killed comrades when the outnumbered soldiers manning the checkpoint returned fire.

Police said the gunmen first surrounded the detachment at about 11:00 p.m. and opened fire using assault rifles and rifle grenades.

After the first volley of attacks from BIFM members, the Army retaliated with machine gun fire, sending the suspects to scamper and fled.

Abu Misry Mama, speaking for the BIFM, admitted the harassment and claimed that they were doing it to retaliate the death of their three companions in the hands of government forces.

According to Mama, the Army in Maguindanao intercepted three BIFM members and tortured them then later killed.

He said their slain companions went missing and were later found dead.

But the Army's 6th Infantry Division denied the claim of Mama and vowed to take appropriate action against BIFM members targeting Army bases in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

The Army is readying charges against the renegade rebels.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=513109