Former Ampatuan allies clash with MILF

MANILA, Philippines – One of the former armed supporters of the Ampatuans in Maguindanao was killed while two others were injured when their group attacked a village and ending up clashing with about 30 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters, as well as other partisan armed groups.

Lt. Col. Benjie Hao, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said fighting broke out when the group of Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki led by Barangay Captain Esmael Kla alias Kos attacked Barangay Matagabong at about 4 p.m.

Unknown to the group, there were MILF fighters as well as armed groups led by a certain Hamsa Kindo alias Tuhabak just within the vicinity, who in turn, joined forces in defending the village by engaging the attackers.

“The encounter resulted to the death of two on the side of the Sanki group,” Hao said. He identified one of the two fatalities as Saddam Amelik.

The Sangki group who used to be an ally of former Ampatuan Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his son Ampatuan town Mayor, Andal Jr., has turned state witness against their former patrons following the infamous Maguindanao massacre that left 57 civilians dead, most of them local journalists last year.                  – With AP