MNLF members in Sulu clash

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and not Abu Sayyaf rebels were involved in the deadly Sulu clash on Sunday morning, October 28, a senior MNLF leader said.

Dr Abdurahman Amin of the MNLF made this disclosure in a meeting with the MILF in the city, aimed at threshing out their differences over a peace deal signed by the MILF with the Aquino government.

Amin of the MNLF said that a unit from the Philippine Marines provoked and attacked and their forces in Patikul, Sulu, according to a story posted on luwaran.com, the MILF’s website.  

Amin said MNLF members under vice chair Tahir Usman were just harvesting farm products in their farm when attacked by Marine troops.

A heavy firefight followed, leaving at least 5 persons dead including 3 members of the Philippine Marines. At least 10 soldiers were also wounded in the encounter.

The military earlier reported that an encounter between the Philippine Marines and the Abu Sayyaf Group occurred in Barangay Bakong in Patikul at around 6 am Sunday. – Rappler.com