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