January 16, 2002	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 1, 1422

ZAMBOANGA (Philippines), Jan 15: Twelve security personnel and 20 civilians were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight during a rally held by supporters of detained Muslim leader Nur Misuari in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Scores of civilians were also wounded in the crossfire between policemen comprising ex-rebels from Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Marine soldiers on the island of Jolo, the officials said.

Misuari is currently detained near Manila pending his trial for rebellion. Misuari’s forces from the MNLF in November attacked military detachments in his Jolo stronghold after he declared an uprising.

Troops quelled the short-lived rebellion, which left more than 100 people dead. Misuari fled to Malaysia, but was subsequently arrested and deported to face trial at home.

Military southern command official Colonel Roland Detabali, speaking in Zamboanga city, said nine Marines, an army soldier, two policemen and three civilians were killed during the clash late Tuesday.

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao cabinet secretary Abdurahman Jamasali, quoting reports from Jolo, said 17 more civilians were confirmed dead and scores of others wounded in the crossfire during the rally attended by about 2,000 supporters of Misuari.—AFP