32 dead in clash in southern Philippines

32 dead in clash in southern Philippines

Agencies, Zamboanga, Philippines

Twelve security personnel and 20 civilians were killed on Tuesday in a clash during a mass rally by supporters of detained Moro leader Nur Misuari in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Scores of civilians were also wounded in the crossfire during the rally between policemen comprising ex-rebels from Misuari's Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Marine soldiers in the island of Jolo, the officials said.

Misuari is currently detained in Manila pending his trial for rebellion. Misuari's forces from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in November attacked military detachments in his stronghold of Jolo after he declared an uprising.

Troops quelled the short-lived rebellion, which left more than 100 people dead. Misuari fled to Malaysia, but was subsequently arrested and deported to face trial here.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jose Mabanta said the troops were sent to quell a riot that broke out during a rally by dozens of civilian supporters of detained Muslim leader Nur Misuari in downtown Jolo.

The free-for-all was triggered when a Marine officer in civilian clothes was accosted by the police for carrying a grenade and then severely beaten.

"A thorough investigation has been ordered by (military southern command chief) Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu," said local military commander Maj. Gen. Glicerio Sua.

"It appears that there was a misunderstanding," he said.

Separately, Philippine and U.S. military officers established a joint committee on Tuesday to oversee a military exercise focused on wiping out a Moro extremist group linked to the al- Qaeda terrorist network in the southern Philippines.

Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Philippine deputy chief of staff for education and training, said he and Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, will co-head the "exercise directorate."

Teodosio spoke after meeting with three U.S. military officers, who did not talk to journalists.

At a local army camp, workers were rushing to complete training and billeting facilities for U.S. troops.

Philippine officials said more than 600 U.S. troops, including 160 Special Forces members, will join 1,200 Philippine soldiers in the exercises dubbed "Balikatan," or "shouldering the load together."