ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Five people, including two civilians, were killed in a clash between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Abu Sayyaf group clashed in a remote village in Basilan province on Wednesday, a security official said Thursday.
Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said a group of MILF fighters led by Aslumin Masud initially encountered the Abu Sayyaf group led by Isnilon Hapilon in the village of Guinanta in Al-Barka town around 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Tan said reports on the ground indicated three of Hapilon's followers were killed in the firefight, forcing the Abu Sayyaf to retreat.
The Abu Sayyaf group reportedly chanced upon two civilians and executed them while retreating from the clash.
The MILF pursued and encountered the same Abu Sayyaf group around 4 p.m. on the same day, triggering another firefight.
The MILF has signed a peace agreement with the government and has coordinated with security forces in operations against outlaw groups in the past.