More than 10,000 people flee their homes due to the ongoing air strikes and ground battles between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and lawless elements in Zamboanga Sibugay. Government forces pounded suspected rebel lairs with bombs from OV-10s to weaken enemy forces and allow a company-size assault team to finish off the rebels. These families reside in the remote towns of Payao, Alicia and Talusan. More than a thousand families also left their homes in Basilan, fearing more government retaliation after insurgents killed 19 soldiers there a few days ago.
Two soldiers and four rebel troops have died after the two day strikes. More are expected to risk or lose their lives due to the fighting.
A company of soldiers have already punctured rebel positions. The military is trying to arrest Waning Abdusalam, a notorious kidnapper, whom the MILF claims is no longer a member of the rebel group.
Another group, this time the group of Putot and Ogis Jakaira, notorious kidnappers as well, had fled to Basilan.
The MILF has protested the air strikes, saying that the military is targetting their men, a charge which the AFP denied. The MILF also said that the AFP is using poison gas, another charge which the AFP finds incredulous.
President Aquino, while not declaring all out war, has given 10 billion pesos to further fund the modernization of the AFP. The fund is expected to further fuel the conflict in Mindanao.
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