SINGAPORE: At least 6 people were killed when gunmen opened fire in southern Philippines in a reported retaliation attack over the arrest of a suspected Muslim militant, the country's military said on Friday. Ten gunmen swooped down late Thursday on the village of Tininghalang in Lapuyan town, Zamboanga del Sur province, 810 kilometers south of Manila, and opened fire on the victims, said Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesman. “Six were killed and an undetermined number were wounded,” he said. The victims were relatives of a government militiaman who helped police arrest a suspected Muslim rebel this month, Cabangbang said. He said the gunmen were allegedly led by the brother of the arrested suspect. Tension has been on the rise in southern Philippines as Muslim militants in the area continue to demand full rights and recognition, but the government refuses, which has led to an increase in violent clashes between police and the militants, often resulting in civilian casualties. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/uT25n Tags: Death, Militants, Military, Philippines, South Section: East Asia, Latest News
