Clash erupts between MNLF, MILF in NCotabato town

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  --- Rival groups of the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front have been trading shots in North Cotabato’s Matalam town since late Sunday, sending villagers running for their lives.

The North Cotabato provincial police and the Army’s 602nd Brigade dispatched Monday dawn separate contingents to Barangay Marbel in Matalam to prevent the hostilities from spreading to surrounding districts.

Dima Ambil, chairman of the MNLF Sebangan Kutawato State Revolutionary Committee, told reporters the MILF rebels attacked their positions in Barangay Marbel after he ordered them to hide their guns when they appear for a peace forum in the area.

“We are also for the conduct of that forum, but we don’t want them to carry guns when they come because this is a government-recognized MNLF territory,” Ambil said.

Ambil said villagers near the scene of the encounters have evacuated to the center of Barangay Marbel.

Barangay Marbel is an acknowledged “peace zone,” a sanctuary for members of the MNLF, which signed on September 2, 1996 a final peace agreement with the national government.

The feuding MNLF and MILF forces were still shooting at each other using assault rifles and shoulder-fire grenades until 9:00 a.m. Monday.