Philippine army kills 13 rebels in heavy fighting

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

MANILA, June 5 (Reuters) - Soldiers killed 13 Muslim rebels and wounded dozens in heavy fighting in the southern Philippines on Friday, an army spokesman said, and thwarted a plot by the guerrillas to attack a farming village.

Fighting across oil and gas-rich marshlands and nearby hills on the southern island of Mindanao has escalated in the last six weeks and displaced more than 50,000 families, pushing back prospects for the resumption of peace talks stalled since August 2008.

Five soldiers were also wounded when troops clashed for two hours with Muslim guerrillas from rogue factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) near Guindulungan town in Maguindanao province.

"Our artillery fire scored direct hits, killing 13 rebels," Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Ponce told reporters, adding that helicopters and warplanes were sent to provide close air support to ground troops. "Dozens of rebels were also wounded. Our troops are now pursuing the remnants."


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSMAN220594

[Captain Hilts]

1. There's some bad shit happening in the Philippines and Indonesia. nt

[Bonobo]

2. Colonial repression continues...

[David__77]

3. Still under the thumb of imperialism.

Hopefully the country will really be liberated soon. Unfortunately, it seems that the progressive forces are having a hard time right now - hopefully they can pull through in the countryside and regroup.