DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao - Three soldiers and a Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighter were wounded following an encounter between the military and rebel forces here, authorities said.

The fighting erupted after troops tried to serve a search warrant on the town's mayor, Anida Dimaukom, MILF commander Wahid Tundok and 10 others who were allegedly making weapons in the area.

A spokesman for the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, Von Al Haq, denied the charge. He accused the troops of not coordinating the operation, violating their ceasefire.

Photo courtesy : 6th infantry division

Photo courtesy : 6th infantry division

Photo courtesy : 6th infantry division

Photo courtesy : 6th infantry division

The military, however, said there was no need to coordinate the service of the warrant since the area was controlled by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which is not party to the ceasefire or long-running peace negotiations.

Dimaukom has yet to comment on the allegations.

Several gun parts were seized in the Wednesday raid.