Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Wednesday announced the surviving Moro National Liberation Front fighters, believed holed up in Barangays Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara, are running out of ammunition.
He made this statement after noting that fire from the rebel force has not been intense for the past few days. “It is not as intense as yesterday. One, their number has been neutralized, (there have been) arrests and (some were) killed as far as the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction (is concerned) and also, we can attribute that to the efforts to gradually constrict and contain them in the areas where they are right now,” he said.
Tutaan estimates the number of remaining MNLF fighters at 75. He believes that MNLF commander Habier Malik is the one leading the rebel force The AFP spokesperson also stressed that the military is focusing its attention on the two above-mentioned barangays.
He estimates the number of hostages at least than 100 but are scattered in small groups along with the surviving rebels.