Rebel commander shot dead in RP

Rebel commander shot dead in RP

PHILIPPINES: An alleged Moro rebel commander and a companion were shot dead by gunmen in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, police said on Wednesday.

Abdulrahjak Kabalu Siambal, 31, believed to be a commander of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Marcos Ruta were killed instantly when gunmen on a motorcycle attacked them on Tuesday in the town of Polomolok, Chief Inspector Florendo Quidilla said.

Witnesses said that the attackers, wearing helmets that covered their faces, pursued Siambal and Ruta and shot them dead, Quidilla said.

The 12,000-strong MILF is the country's largest remaining Muslim guerrilla force and has been fighting for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the south since 1978. --AFP