Security forces stop siege attempt in another Philippine city

Muslim rebels have withdrawn from a southern Philippine town after security forces responded quickly to their Wednesday morning attack. Some 300 gunmen stormed the village of Malagakit in Philippine’s North Cotabato province. The militants targeted an army outpost and a patrol base, but started to withdraw when security forces strengthened their offensive. No civilian deaths have been confirmed in the attack, but the militants took some hostages to use as cover during their retreat. Police Chief Inspector Realan Mamon identified the gunmen as members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, one of several militant groups in the country’s southern region. Some 500 militants last month besieged the town of Marawi after a botched attempt by government forces to arrest a top militant suspect. Security forces have continued to wrestle for control of the city in a battle that has killed about 65 security forces, 26 civilians, and 258 militants.

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