The government forces have overran Thursday an island east of this city that served to be among the landing points of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels when they infiltrated this city.
Sumatra Island in Barangay Talon-Talon, five kilometers east of this city, which is covered by thick mangrove, was overran following an air strike followed by ground assault.
Armed Forces’ Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the assault was launched following information that a group of rebels are holed up in
Zagala said that the group of rebels in
“The operation have prevented them from linking with the other group in the mainland,” Zagala said.
Initial reports disclosed that the ground troops have discovered four shallow graves, five watercrafts--a motor launch and four motorboats locally known as "jungkung"--ammunition, MNLF uniforms and foodstuffs.
As this developed, the government forces have safely recovered six hostages, including four students, early Thursday in Sitio Lustre, Barangay Sta. Catalina.
Zagala said they are now validating the number of remaining hostages that are still in the hands of the MNLF rebels.
He said they are also validating the remaining number of MNLF that are still in the “constriction areas.”
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said that 185 MNLF rebels were captured and 24 surrendered as of 11 a.m. Thursday.
Huesca said that one of those captured is a former councilor in the
Huesca also said that 121 MNLF rebels were killed as of 11 a.m. Thursday since the start of the standoff last September 9.
On the government side, Zagala disclosed that 24 were killed as three soldiers were killed Thursday in a clash Barangay Sta. Catalina.
Zagala said that the number of wounded also increased to 184 since five soldiers were also wounded in the same clash.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=569962
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