12 miners murdered in Philippines
Suspected Muslim rebels ambushed local employees of a Canadian mining company in the southern Philippines, killing 12 and injuring 10.
The ambush was the second deadly attack on Mindanao island this week – On Christmas Eve, a bomb made from an 81-mm mortar shell filled with nail fragments exploded outside the home of a town’s mayor, killing 17 people.
It was not clear if there was a link between the incidents, which occurred roughly two days and 100 miles apart.
The military blamed both attacks on rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, but rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied any involvement, saying, “We don’t kill innocent people besides, the MILF is currently negotiating peace with the government.”
