Rebels ambush Army patrol

Rebels ambush Army patrol

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Moslem guerrillas ambushed Philippine soldiers on a nearby island, wounding three, military reports said yesterday.

The incident occurred shortly before five Indonesian observers tasked to monitor a government cease-fire with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) guerrillas arrived in this southern city yesterday.

MNLF Spokesman Amat Muhammad, in a radio interview, blamed the military for sending troops into an MNLF-claimed area without coordinating first with the guerrilla leadership.

Regional police official, Chief Superintendent Roberto Lastimoso, said the Indonesian observers were led by the counselor at the Indonesian embassy in Manila, Djamil Yusbar. They will go to Basilan on Saturday to investigate the latest ambush.