Fierce fighting erupted Wednesday between government soldiers and MILF forces in Sipakit, leaving a rebel dead and two others wounded on both sides. The Southern Command said about 200 gunmen attacked patrolling government forces and triggering a firefight that lasted more than six hours. The fighting erupted ahead of the expected arrival of a small group of Malaysian truce observers next week. MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said, however, that government troops attacked their camp without any provocation, apparently to sabotage the peace process.
| Yep. Happens all the time. |
Kabalu claimed the assault was nevertheless repelled despite the use of attack helicopters. Pascua denied the accusation yesterday and insisted that rebels violated the truce. |