The Philippine National Police is focused on evacuating and treating casualties in a clash against "lawless elements" in a Maguindanao town early Sunday, its acting chief said Sunday evening.
In a statement to the press, P/Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, officer-in-charge of the PNP, said the casualties are a "priority concern".
He said, however, that pursuit operations are also underway against the armed groups that members of the PNP Special Action Force were in a firefight with.
He said, however, that pursuit operations are also underway against the armed groups that members of the PNP Special Action Force were in a firefight with.
He has also ordered police commanders in the area "to make available all support systems to contain the situation and mitigate the effects on civilian communities."
"Operational information from the field are still sketchy at the moment but what we know so far is that there is an ongoing operation in the area sgainst a high-value target believed to be behind the recent spate of bombings in Central Mindanao," Espina said.
In the meantime, security forces are also assessing the situation and looking for possible courses of action.
According to an earlier report, the PNP SAF troopers were in Mamapano town to serve an arrest warrant on Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias “Marwan”, a Malaysian bombmaker also wanted by the US, and whose presence had been confirmed in the area.
According to an earlier report, the PNP SAF troopers were in Mamapano town to serve an arrest warrant on Zulkifli Bin Hir, alias “Marwan”, a Malaysian bombmaker also wanted by the US, and whose presence had been confirmed in the area.
Mohagher Iqbal, Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator said the clash was triggered by lack of coordination with the MILF and local authorities on the SAF operation.
According to a Reuters report citing local officials, 27 police officers and five rebels were killed in the fighting. Seven more police officers were unaccounted for and a further eight captured by Muslim rebels.
According to a Reuters report citing local officials, 27 police officers and five rebels were killed in the fighting. Seven more police officers were unaccounted for and a further eight captured by Muslim rebels.
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