Gov’t forces kill 2 MNLF rebels in clearing operations in Zambo

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11): Gov’t forces kill 2 MNLF rebels in clearing operations in Zambo

Government forces have killed two Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels, including a rebel leader, when a clash erupted while conducting clearing operations in the “areas of concerns” in this city, a military official disclosed Thursday.

Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao) spokesman Lt. Col. Jose Randolph Sino Cruz said the clash broke out around 8:40 a.m. Thursday in Sitio Bugguk, Barangay Sta. Catalina, 1.76 kilometers east of City Hall.

The adjoining barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara and Rio Hondo are among the “areas of concerns” since the three places were among the sites of fierce fighting between the troops and rebels during the standoff.

The standoff started when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city last September 9.

Sino Cruz said the troops were conducting clearing operations when they chanced upon the two MNLF stragglers, one of whom is a rebel commander.

Sino Cruz said that firefight broke out when the rebels opened fire after the troops ordered them to stand down.

One of the two slain MNLF stragglers was identified as Nasser Dawili of Tulay, Jolo, Sulu, Sino Cruz said.

He said Dawili is the commander of the MNLF’s Tapul Unit based on the identification card recovered from the latter’s possession.

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