Posted on 12/24/2002 3:07:19 AM PST by kattracks
COTABATO, Philippines, Dec 24, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A Christmas Eve bomb attack on a town mayor's home by suspected Islamic militants killed at least 13 people and wounded 12 in the southern Philippines, the military said.
Tuesday's blast rocked the house of Mayor Saudie Ampatuan in Datu Piang in Maguindanao province, said army spokesman Maj. Julieto Ando.
Ampatuan died of injuries to his head and abdomen. Among those killed were a town councilor, the treasurer and a bodyguard, Ando said. The others were not immediately identified, Ando said. He said the death toll rose after authorities counted all the dead from hospitals in different towns.
Ando said the military suspected the Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels, because "it is only the MILF that is capable of making powerful homemade bombs."
The military is holding a witness who claimed he saw a man known to be a follower of a rebel commander planting the bomb, Ando said, adding that the blast was caused by mortars tied up with a timing device.
But Moro rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied involvement, saying the mayor had many personal and political enemies.
"There is no reason for us to do that because the mayor is not our enemy," he said.
The military has in the past blamed the rebels for similar attacks in the area, in which mortars were used.
In response to the attack, Ando said a battalion of about 500 soldiers were deployed to Datu Piang.
The rebels, who have signed a cease-fire with the government, have been fighting for Muslim self-rule in the southern Philippines for nearly three decades. The Philippines is mainly Christian.
The explosion occurred at a gathering honoring a dead relative of the mayor.
Ando said Ampatuan is a "nemesis" of the rebels, who earlier this year attacked a convoy transporting Ampatuan and his father, Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan. The men survived the ambush, but two of their bodyguards died.
Formal peace talks between the government and the MILF are expected to resume next month in Malaysia. Both sides have accuse each other of violating a shaky 1997 truce.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved
The Moros have been doing the same thing in the Philippines since at least Teddy Roosevelt's time.
NOPE! It is because the Filipino majority are Christian CATHOLICS.
NOPE! It is because the Filipino majority are Christian CATHOLICS.
"Mayor Saudie Ampatuan, a Muslim, was walking outside his home in Datu Piang town when an electronically detonated bomb exploded by the road, killing him, four other local officials and several civilians, army spokesman Major Julieto Ando told Reuters."
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The bomb was improvised from an 81-mm mortar bomb and was detonated by remote control, he said.
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Ando said the military had taken into custody a witness who saw the bomb being planted by followers of an MILF leader known as "Commander Rambo."
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"Commander Rambo of the MILF apparently resents the mayor's efforts to build new roads in Datu Piang because they are afraid the military might use the roads to transport soldiers and equipment more quickly," Ando said.
Stereotypes are usually true, but only usually. Mayor Ampatuan was a Muslim trying to bring his community into the 21st century. So another Muslim, with the un-Islamic name of "Commander Rambo" decided to kill him. The nice thing about the Philippines is that even when you die, you die laughing.
I know. It is always those peacful muslims.
What's going on over there?
Yep, Islam is a religion of piece. A piece of this country, a piece of that country. Living in peace in a secular country is an alien concept to them (except Turkey).
5.56mm
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