Rebels attack southern RP

Rebels attack southern RP

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Suspected Moslem guerrillas
attacked a public market in this southern Philippine city
yesterday, leaving two soldiers critically wounded, police said.

A suspected member of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf group was
arrested after five gunmen opened fire on an Army unit patrolling
the packed public market here, district police chief
Superintendent Demetrio Maylas said.

It was the first known frontal attack by the Abu Sayyaf in
years in this regional center, which hosts the headquarters of
the southern Philippines military command. However, the group has
previously launched bombings in the city.

Zamboanga, a city of half a million, at least 85 percent of
whom are Christian, has been overflowing with police and military
reinforcements in recent weeks following military intelligence
reports that the Abu Sayyaf would launch surprise raids.