By Florante S. Solmerin

FIVE suspected members of the defunct Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have so far been killed while a soldier was wounded as government troops continue to storm the rebels’ position in Sitio Marabon in Mantanguele Island in Balabac town, Palawan.

Lt. Col. Yuri Pesigan, commander of the Marine Battallion Landing Team 8 (MBLT-8) based in the area, said some of the positions of the rebels have been overran by soldiers with the death of at least seven of them and the capture of two.

“Our enemy body count is already seven, two of them captured. We’ve also one wounded soldier and he was already airlifted by our Huey to the hospital for treatment. Nadaplisan siya ng bala sa mata,” he said, but declined to give the name of the soldier.

He said 6 high-powered firearms were also recovered from the slain rebels.

“Clearing and pursuit operations continue. We’ll not stop until all of them are captured or killed if they will not voluntarily surrender,” Pesigan aid.

The pursuing soldiers are scouring the 25 to 30-square kilometer island to locate the fleeing rebels believed to less 50.

The rebels are being led by a certain Abdullah Abdurajak alias Commander Pa Guru.

The police said Pa Guru had three warrants of arrest issued by different courts for illegal possession of firearms.

Pesigan said the rebels were sporting camouflage uniforms of the Philippine Army.

“Naksuot sila ng camouflage na iuniporme ng Army,” Pesigan said.

Last Saturday, Pa Guru’s group occupied the island and allegedly held hostage some of the villagers, conducted extortion and lootings.

More than 1,000 villagers flee their homes for fear of getting killed by the rebels.

Government troops immediately deployed in the island and the local government unit helped in the negotiation for the peaceful surrender of the rebels.

But the rebels failed to meet the Tuesday sunset deadline for them to surrender so that the military started their assault past midnight and engaged the rebels before dawn Wednesday.

“Natapos yung encounter mga bandang alas-2:00 ng hapn kanina.. Yung ibang putukan ay napakalapit. Nabawi na natin ang lahat na kanilang kampo nila gaya nung eskwelahan, mosque at iba pang lugar doon,” said Pesigan.