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.