MILF launches guerrilla war against AFP
"We have been pushed to the wall� thus, all those with weapons must fight to the death." This was the gist of a 30-minute call to the Moro people on February 24 by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chair Hashim Salamat. In his statement read over the radio, Salamat said with emotion that only in this manner could the Moro people attain the freedom they desired.
Salamat's message was in response to relentless and renewed AFP attacks on MILF camps that began as early as December 2002 and were stepped up on February 15 when Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the MILF's annihilation. Macapagal-Arroyo's officials gave the distorted rationalization that the MILF had violated the ceasefire and that it should be declared "terrorist."
Since February 8, more than 120,000 people from Maguindanao and North Cotabato have been forced to evacuate due to the AFP's bombings and operations.
The AFP operations have prompted Salamat to declare that the ceasefire and peace talks were no longer in force.
In self-defense, MILF fighters started launching a series of guerrilla counter-attacks a day after the AFP occupied the "Buliok Complex" encompassing North Cotabato and Maguindanao. Ten elements of the Philippine Marines were killed in an ambush along the Narciso Ramos Highway in Parang, Maguindanao and a tank was destroyed in Balabagan, Sultan Kudarat on February 16.
On February 18, up to 16 elements of the 26th IB, 64th IB and paramilitary forces were killed and 15 wounded in an ambush on a military vehicle and in raids launched in Matanog, Shariff Aguak and Datu Piang in Maguindanao and in Kauswagan, Lanao del Sur. Meantime, the 57th IB detachment in Barangay Bitu, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao was harassed on February 22. On February 24, six soldiers were killed in an ambush in Buldon, South Cotabato, as well as two CAFGU elements in Sirawai, South Cotabato.
Five soldiers were killed when the MILF raided the 33rd IB detachment in Barangay Timbabawan, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibuguey on February 25. Three elements of the 7th IB were likewise killed in Barangay Lagandang, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in an ambush on February 28.
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