COTABATO, Philippines – A 30-year old civilian was killed and four others - including a child - were seriously injured during a military air strike against suspected Moro rebels in Maguindanao on Tuesday, a rebel leader said Wednesday.
Mohagher Iqbal, Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator, said Sindak Ismael died when Philippine Air Force aircraft dropped bombs on civilian communities in Mamasapano town.
He identified those wounded as Haja Bai Masla Zangkala, 45; Haja Apisa Ibrahim, 47; Rudy Kamsa, 23; and a 12-year old girl.
"It's validated. The military have been indiscriminately bombing populated areas," Iqbal told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone.
The military has said it killed or wounded 10 rebels in the air strike.
Colonel Marlou Salazar, local army commander, said they also recovered firearms during a follow-up operation.