Zamboanga City (PNA) – A top military official has reputed Thursday the claims of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels that more than 20 soldiers were killed in Tuesday’s clashes in Mindanao, saying “those were again big lies.”

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr., information officer of the armed forces, said there were only three–two in Lanao del Sur and one in Maguindanao–soldiers killed on Tuesday between the troops pursuing the groups of MILF leaders Ameril Umbra Kato alias Commander Kato and Abdulrahaman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.

In a statement posted Wednesday at it website, the MILF said that about 18 soldiers were killed Tuesday in Barangay Bansayan, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur and more were wounded in action.

In Maguindanao, the MILF claimed that eight soldiers died and five were wounded when the followers of Commander Kato ambushed patrolling troops in Baranagy Diate, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Two MILF followers were wounded in the ensuing firefight that lasted until Tuesday afternoon, according to the MILF.

Helicopters transported the dead and wounded soldiers out of the area of encounter, the group reported.

“Luwaran is a polluted source. Those were again big lies,” Torres said as he reputed the claims of the MILF.

The government troops are continuously pursuing the groups of Commanders Kato and Bravo after the two rebel leaders led their men in attack villages last August in the provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.

Meanwhile, 63 families staying in a Madrasa in Iligan City have returned to their respective homes in the village of Paiton, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

They were assisted by the troops from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division who ferried them aboard military trucks. (Teofilo P. Garcia - PNA)