17 killed as 2 MILF factions clash

MANILA, Philippines —  Seventeen people were reported killed in a series of clashes between two warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday, according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Jean Fajardo said the clashes broke out after an MILF faction led by a certain Latip encroached on a 45-hectare property being occupied by another faction led by a certain Sultan.

The municipal peace and order council said 19 were killed in the clashes.

Pagalungan town officials told police and the military that the conflict involved a certain Alonto Sultan and his relatives in the MILF, and the group of Ekot Dandua, said to be a ranking member of the MILF.

Fajardo said the clashes stemmed from a land dispute involving vast swaths of agricultural property in Sitio Gageranin in Barangay Kilangan.

She said the tension was defused after the MILF ad hoc joint action group and committee on cessation of hostilities intervened.

Fajardo said police checkpoints and border control points were set up in Pagalungan to secure residents.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said responding troopers found nine bodies in one of the the scenes of the encounter.

Residents told journalists 10 more were killed in other areas.

Nafarrete said he ordered troopers of the 602nd Infantry Brigade to help the local police drive the warring groups away from Kilangan.