Hundreds displaced by MILF-BIFF clashes in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Sporadic clashes since last week between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom fighters (BIFF) have displaced more than a thousand villagers in Pagalungan, Maguindanao.

The evacuees are now housed in makeshift relief sites located in safer areas in Pagalungan.

The latest encounter in the outskirts of Pagalungan town erupted Saturday, causing the death of four MILF members.

The spate of encounters between MILF and BIFF forces in Barangay Kalbugan in Pagalungan started more than a week ago, precipitated by a two-day showdown by rival forces, which forced hundreds of families to evacuate to safer areas.

The standoff started when BIFF bandits, led by a radical cleric Imam Karialan and Gani Saligan, attempted to breach into MILF communities in Barangay Kalbugan and the marshlands at the border of Pagalungan and Pikit town in North Cotabato.

More than 50 percent of the evacuees from Barangay Kalbugan are women, school children and elderly folks.

Regional governor Mujiv Hataman said he has ordered the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) to immediately validate the extent of the displacement of villagers.

He said the ARMM-HEART will provide relief and rehabilitation services to the displaced folks.

Pagalungan, a known bastion of the MILF, is a component town of the ARMM.

Evacuees had told reporters that the BIFF lost no fewer than 10 members in the encounters with MILF in Barangay Kalbugan in the past four days.

The BIFF has been trying to expand the areas where it imposes excessive taxation to sustain its forces.

The BIFF, led by religious extremists, has also been enforcing a ruthless Taliban-style justice system in areas under its control.