Rebel soldiers sacked a banana plantation in the Philippines’ southern region yesterday morning in the latest in a long-running string of separatist attacks.
One civilian was killed and six others injured, according to reports by local media, during the raid by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas
Around 200 guerrillas launched the attack on the AMS Corporation plantation in the village of Kanibong, Tulunan, North Cotabato province.
“The rebels set on fire around 80 light-material houses, a bulldozer and a backhoe as they fled,” provincial Governor Jesus Sacdalan told China’s Xinhua.
Two of the injured were held hostage for some hours, before being shot in the legs and released.
The attack was reportedly not officially sanctioned by MILF leaders, and was a personal reprisal by a local commander against the owners of the plantation over a land dispute.
“This has nothing to do with our rebellion but admittedly the attacker is our commander,” said rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu.
At least seven guerrillas were wounded as the Philippine military pursued the rebels using bombers.
The 11,000-strong group has been fighting for the independence of the southern Mindanao region for decades.
A number of other plantations have been attacked in the past few years in the area, which is a heavy producer of bananas.
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