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Clashes leave 11 rebels killed in S. Philippines

Xinhua, July 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least 11 Muslim rebels have been killed in a military offensive in southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, an Army officer said said Thursday.

Cirilito Sobejana, the Army's 601 brigade commander, told reporters that clashes broke out Wednesday in a village in Datu Unsay between government troops and insurgents belonging to the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and that fighting continued early Thursday, spilling over to the next town of Shariff Aguak, which is also in Maguindanao.

"We are maintaining the momentum of the clearing operation," said Sobajana, adding the military is pursuing around 70 to 80 rebels in the area. He said at least 19 others were wounded in the clashes including two soldiers.

He said the situation is a bit tricky because the rebels are mobile, trying to escape from pursuing troops.

"They (the rebels) are on the move, so there are sporadic fighting," he said.

The BIFF, founded by former MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, broke away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in late 2010 after the latter dropped its call for an independent Islamic state and in March 2014 forged a comprehensive peace deal with the Philippine government. Enditem