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ZAMBOANGA CITY—The police director of the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Chief Supt. Joel
Goltiao, said Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
rebels took control of one of the 11 towns Monday in the
nearby island-province of Basilan.
Goltiao
said the rebels overrun Tipo-Tipo town at about 4 p.m.
following sporadic fighting with government security
forces that started Monday morning.
Goltiao
made the disclosure as he confirmed that three
policemen, including the police chief of Tipo-Tipo, are
missing and “cannot be located” as of press time.
However,
he disputed reports of civilian casualties made by
Tipo-Tipo Mayor Tong Istarul.
Istarul
said rebels torched some of the houses in the village of
Tipo-Tipo poblacion. |
