6 MILF rebels killed, 1 soldier wounded in Cotabato clash

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Six Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels were killed, while an undetermined number, including a soldier, were wounded when government troops struck on rebels in M'lang town, North Cotabato, the military reported Tuesday.

The troops also recovered seven high-powered firearms, including a B-40 rocket launcher abandoned by the rebels. Other recovered firearms were two M-14 rifles, three M-16 rifles and an M-79 grenade launcher.

The military reported that the soldiers from the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion were on combat patrol when they encountered 40 rebels, led by a Commander Wahid Basing in barangay Budingan, Mlang.

Armed Forces Southern Command chief, Maj. Gen. Roy Kyamko, said the troops pounced on the rebels about 11:45 p.m. Monday. Six rebels were killed on the spot, while an undetermined number were reported injured, Kyamko said.

The encounter lasted for almost an hour before the rebels managed to escape with their wounded comrades.

President Arroyo claimed victory in its war against the MILF, which is tagged as responsible for the series of attacks and bombings against civilians.

The military earlier reported that the offensive has already claimed 77 rebels killed, 14 wounded, 97 surrendered and two captured as its “selective bombings and punitive offensive” against embedded terrorists entered its second week since May 17