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Troops pursue Philippines rebels

Philippine Marines
Philippine troops have been ordered to hunt and launch attacks against Muslim rebels  


JOLO, Philippines -- Planes and helicopters attacks towns on the Philippine island of Jolo as thousands of troops launched a counterstrike against Muslim rebels who stormed a military outpost on Monday.

A body count showed the toll from Monday's confrontation at more than 100 dead "most of them inflicted by our air strikes," a spokesman said.

About 7,000 government troops launched a major attack Wednesday against former members of the Muslim secessionist group Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Helicopter gunships and World War II vintage bomber planes were used in strikes on guerrilla positions and Malaysia's help is being sought to prevent turncoat governor Nur Misuari from escaping there by sea.

As head of the MNLF, Misuari has led an armed revolt for 24 years, demanding an independent Islamic state in the Southern Philippines.

But his group was disbanded after he signed a 1996 peace pact with the government, paving the way for the creation of an autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao, where he was named as governor.

Misuar decided to go against the government after he was stripped of his power as a governor when he was accused of mismanaging funds allotted for the region.

Military officials confirmed Misuari ordered Monday's attack on a military outpost in Jolo to spoil the coming regional elections.

And although Misuari is not running in the elections, he has denounced it as a violation of the 1996 peace accord, prompting him to resurrect his group and forge an alliance with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

Charges of rebellion -- a crime punishable by a maximum 40 years in jail -- are to be filed on Thursday against Misuari and his followers, officials said.

Meanwhile the hunt continues for between 500 and 800 of the rebels.

"Fighting is continuing in three areas," southern military commander Lieutenant-General Roy Cimatu told the first group of journalists to visit the embattled island since Monday's attacks.

He said the skirmishes are taking place in the towns of Panamao, Patikul and Indanan, all mountainous areas on the largely Muslim island where Misuari has traditionally enjoyed local support.

Malaysian help sought

Bush, Arroyo
President George W. Bush has agreed to increase military aid to the Philippines  

Military officials said they believed Misuari remained holed up in a village on Jolo, but they were checking reports he might have slipped out of the country and gone to Sabah in Malaysia, where thousands of Filipino Muslims live.

"We are coordinating with Malaysian authorities in case Misuari tries to seek refuge in Malaysia," armed forces chief General Diomedio Villanueva told reporters in Marawi city.

A spokesman said the Philippine Navy had stepped up patrols to stop Misuari fleeing. "His boat will be sunk," he said.

The latest attack comes as the Philippines continue to court the United States for military support in its fight against Muslim separatist groups in the South.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is currently in Washington to discuss with U.S. President George Bush economic and security concerns.

U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday the United States would boost military and economic aid to the Philippines for its fight against Muslim separatists, calling it an extension of the U.S.-led war against terrorism.

In a joint statement, Bush said the United States would provide nearly $100 million in security assistance to help the Philippines combat the Abu Sayyaf.

Washington has linked the Abu Sayyaf to Islamic militant Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network.

The group is currently a U.S. missionary couple hostage for nearly six months in its jungle camp in the South.



 
 
 
 


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