Five rebels killed in RP fighting

Five rebels killed in RP fighting

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Five rebels including a commander were killed and one was captured by the Army near this southern city, the military said yesterday.

The skirmish began early Tuesday when 50 heavily armed rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ambushed an Army patrol in the town of Sirawai, said Capt. Salih Indanan, spokesman for the military's southern command based here.

Two soldiers were wounded in the attack, he said.

The military and the rebels traded mortar fire throughout the day and the clash ended early Wednesday. Several firearms were recovered from the rebels, Indanan said.

The MILF is a splinter group of the main Moslem insurgent group Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace agreement with the government.