SECOND FRONT | Govt forces repel rebel attempt to storm Basilan's Lamitan City

From InterAksyon (Sep 13): SECOND FRONT | Govt forces repel rebel attempt to storm Basilan's Lamitan City

Fighting broke out for the second day in Basilan province on Friday and government forces claimed they had thwarted an attempt by Moro National Liberation Front rebels, joined by fighters from the Abu Sayyaf and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, to enter Lamitan City.

Colonel Carlito Galvez, commander of the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade, said the fighting broke out around 9 a.m. and that the situation had stabilized by 9:55 a.m. with troops from the 18th Infantry Battalion and 9th Scout Ranger Company in pursuit of the retreating rebels.

Six government troops were wounded in the new fighting while “undetermined casualties were also incurred on the enemy side.”

“We’ve already stabilized the situation at around 9:55 a.m. The firefight started at around 9 o’clock between our troops and around 100 rebels and bandits composed of MNLF, BIFF and ASG at the pier area,” Galvez said.

Galvez said their intelligence indicated the rebels were looking to seize control of government installations in the city.

“Ang target talaga nila is makapasok sa Lamitan proper pero meron kaming blocking position na nailagay du’n under the 18th IB. So, nagsimula ang bakbakan (Their target was really to enter Lamitan proper but we had placed a blocking position under the 18th IB. So, the fighting started) and then we were subjected (to) enemy mortar fire but we were able to repulse their onslaught. They attacked from different directions dahil gusto nilang (makuha) ‘yung ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) satellite (office sa may) DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) building na located dito sa bandang malapit sa pier (because they wanted to seize the ARMM satellite office near the DPWH building which is located in the area near the pier),” Galvez said.

For the first time since clashes first broke out in Basilan on Thursday, Galvez acknowledged that the violence in the province is likely related to the ongoing standoff between government forces and MNLF fighters who forayed into nearby Zamboanga City.

The Thursday battle claimed the lives of a member of the Civilian Volunteer Organization and three rebels while leaving two other CVOs, two soldiers and seven rebels wounded.

“They are resolute [to seize control] here but we will defend Lamitan City especially the civilians. Most probably, this is related to the Zambo issue,” he said.

“Alam natin na ang Abu Sayayf ay gusto niyang magkaroon ng (We know that the Abu Sayyaf wants the) leverage to gain support from the BIFF and the MNLF. So, para maganda ang broad base niya for another recruitment, ‘yun ang ginagawa ng Abu Sayyaf, ang sumali sa mga pag-atake para makapaghasik ng terorismo dito sa Basilan (to ensure a good broad base for another recruitment, that’s what the Abu Sayyaf do, join the attacks to sow terrorism in Basilan),” Galvez said.

Lamitan Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay, in a radio interview, said the clash happened less than a kilometer away from city hall and that residents in Barangays Bulanting, Colonia, Balobo and Cabobo had to be evacuated.

Galvez confirmed forced evacuations were implemented in remote areas in Lamitan but added that, “tuloy ang komersiyo sa city proper pero medyo restricted ang mga movements (commerce continues in the city proper although movements are restricted).”

“‘Yung mga outskirt Christian communities ay medyo nag-forced evacuation na po tayo para malimitahan natin ‘yung tinatawag natin na mga civilian casualties (We have implemented the forced evacuation of outskirt Christian communities to limit civilian casualties,” he said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70641/second-front--govt-forces-repel-rebel-attempt-to-storm-basilans-lamitan-city