NEWSFLASH

70 MILF, 23 SOLDIERS DIE IN LANAO BATTLE

Camp Aguinaldo, QC, April 13, 2000 The Armed Forces disclosed yesterday that escalated fighting in Lanao del Norte in the past few days has so far claimed the lives of 70 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and 23 soldiers.

In addition, 67 soldiers were wounded in fighting in the towns of Baloi, Munai, Tambo, Matungao, and Tangkal, according to the latest field reports dispatched by the Operation Center of the AFP's Southern Command (Southcom) under Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva and received by AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Of the 23 casualties from the Government side, 18 were regular army troopers, eight were CAFGU members, while two were civilian volunteers.

Gen. Angelo T. Reyes, AFP chief of staff, yesterday said government troops will pursue MILF rebels until they decide to disengage the government troops in combat.

Reyes however directed military commanders in the battle areas to take necessary measures to protect the lives of the innocent civilians and provide them with available assistance particularly to evacuees.

The MILF earlier had set up camps in Balei, Munai, and Kauswagan where they raised their flag. In Kauswagan , composite forces of Marines and Army troops dislodged the rebels after heavy fighting and casualties to the MILF.

In Iligan City, Mayor Franklin Quijano said the city is runningout of funds to support the needs of some 7,000 evacuees, mostly Muslim families who fled their homes because of the fighting.

The evacuees are also being attended to by non-governmental organizations.