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."