Five MNLF rebels killed in Sulu clash

By Ronron
May 8, 2007

Five followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) renegade commander Ustadz Habier Malik were killed in an encounter against government troops early yesterday morning in Sulu province.

Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan said the bodies of the five slain Moro rebels were recovered by government troops during the clearing operations for the 5:55 am encounter yesterday at Barangay Kambing, Kalingalang Caluang town.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Eugene Batara said elements of the Special Operations Platoon of the 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team were conducting combat operations when they encountered the more than 200 rebels believed to be under the command of Malik.

Aside from inflicting casualties on the rebels, Caculitan said government troops also recovered one M14 rifle from them.

Batara said it is not immediately known if Malik was with the band of rebels that figured in yesterday’s clash.

Malik is on the run, especially with the issuance of arrest warrant against him by a Jolo court, following his mortar shelling against civilian and military establishments several weeks ago in Panamao town that resulted to some deaths and several injuries./DMS