1 killed as feuding MILF groups clash

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines – Two heavily armed Moro factions clashed anew in Barangay Bulol in Pikit town Tuesday, leaving a guerilla member dead and causing panic among villagers trapped in the crossfire.

The two groups, one led by a certain Nasser of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and the other, under Commander Dimanalao, also a member of the MILF, are squabbling for control of swaths of farmlands in Barangay Bulol.

Lt. Col. Audie Edralin, commanding officer of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, which has jurisdiction over Pikit and surrounding North Cotabato towns, identified the slain rebel as Maglalang Latip, a follower of Nasser.

Nasser and Dimanalao are locked in a deadly feud sparked by territorial disputes worsened by political factionalism when they supported rival politicians in Pikit during the May 13, 2013 local polls.

Edralin said his superior, Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of the Army’s 602nd Brigade, enlisted the support of local officials and traditional Moro leaders to help pacify the feuding groups.

“Since these two groups both belong to the MILF, we will also asked help from the joint government-MILF ceasefire committee to work out their disengagement,” Edralin said.

Edralin said not a single resident of Barangay Bulol was hurt in Tuesday’s encounter, but the incident sent villagers running for their lives.

“So far there were no evacuations. The tension, however, remain high and residents are so worried the two groups might again fight each other anytime soon. That is what we will try to prevent at all cost,” Edralin added.