Troops, LGU prevent clash in Midsayap

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Local officials and the military were able to prevent Tuesday a near encounter between heavily armed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members and a big Moro clan in Midsayap town in the province.

Captain Tony Bulao, spokesman of the Army’s 602nd Brigade based in North Cotabato’s Carmen town, said the MNLF members, led by Commanders Noran, Kamama, Hassan and Dumo, were  to attack a village in Midsayap town where their enemies, led by Peng Kolilong, reside, but balked and agreed to leave through the intercession of local officials and senior Army officials.

The four MNLF commanders have accused Kolilong, incumbent chairman of Barangay Tugal in Midsayap, of masterminding the  murder of their cousin, Kasanudin Guialal, former chairman of Barangay Bangkat in nearby Datu Piang town in Maguindanao.

Kolilong has more than 50 heavily-armed followers, who are mostly his relatives too.

The MNLF commanders agreed to return to Datu Piang after Midsayap local officials and Col. Allan Arojado, the newly-installed commanding officer of the Army’s 602nd Brigade,  interceded to prevent an outbreak of hostilities in Barangay Tugal.

The showdown between the MNLF group and members of the Kolilong clan forced dozens of Moro villagers in Barangay Tugal to relocate to nearby barangays.

Bulao said the situation in Barangay Tugal calmed  after the armed men from Datu Piang left. - John Unson