RP sends fresh troops to take on MNLF

RP sends fresh troops to take on MNLF

Associated Press, Zamboanga, Philippines

About 1,500 troops set sail for battle with forces loyal to a renegade Moro governor on Friday as authorities prepared for Monday's elections to choose the governor's successor.

The three infantry battalions in full battle gear were left Zamboanga city aboard transport ships Friday for Jolo island, about 940 kilometers south of Manila.

About 5,000 soldiers backed by bomber aircraft and artillery are already on the island, fighting forces loyal to Nur Misuari, the governor of the Muslim autonomous region in the southern Philippines.

Amid the tension, election officials still tentatively plan to hold elections Nov. 26 for Misuari's successor.

But Elections Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco said recent fighting has displaced thousands of people in the region and fear of more clashes will likely keep turnout low among the 1.1 million eligible voters.

"When people get displaced and people get worried, would elections be their primary consideration?" said Tancangco.

She said people in remote areas, weakened by Ramadhan holy month fasting, may also refuse to walk 10 kilometers or more to their nearest polling station.

The elections are to be held in the southern provinces of Tawi Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and in Marawi City -which are members of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), a regional Muslim government with limited autonomy from Manila.

Earlier on Friday, three people were wounded when man lobbed a hand grenade at a regional elections office in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province, said army spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando.

On Thursday, the Philippine military bombed several suspected hide-outs of Misuari supporters as the death toll in the four-day conflict rose to more than 100, said Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan.