6 hurt, 200 families flee in Basilan clash

MANILA, Philippines – The military launched an airstrike on Lamitan City, Basilan, after Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels clashed with soldiers on the ground on Friday afternoon, September 13. 

Six soldiers were hurt in clashes with “Misuari’s MNLF” near the Lamitan pier, according to a tweet of Lt Col Harold Cabunoc of the Armed Forces Civil Relations Service.

At a little past 1 pm, Cabunoc tweeted: “There is an ongoing clash between government forces and armed intruders near the Lamitan pier. They couldnt wreak havoc in the city.”

He said it was the 18th Infantry Brigade and the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion “defending Lamitan” against “Misuari’s MNLF Group.”

DZMM reported that the Armed Forces “concluded [the] airstrike” at Barangay Colonia at around 2 pm.

The local government was seeking relief goods and rice supply was dwindling, as 200 families fled from Colonia, the report added. 

Cabunoc said the military would defend Lamitan against any group because “we dont want a repeat of the June 1, 2001 attack.”

In June 2001, the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group occupied the Doctor Torres Hospital and St. Peter Church’s compound in Lamitan. They hostaged 4 hospital workers to treat their wounded members. – Rappler.com