13 rebels killed in clashes between MILF, MNLF

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  – Thirteen guerillas have been killed in continuing clashes since Tuesday between rival forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front in Kabacan, North Cotabato, the military said.

Major Marlowe Patria, spokesman of the Army’s 6th  Infantry Division, said the fatalities were from both the feuding groups, which are squabbling for control of arable lands in two adjoining barangays in Kabacan.

“We have received reports from local officials and commanders of our units that 13 fighters from both sides perished in the latest encounters there,” Patria said.

MILF forces in Kabacan have been attacking since late last year the farms of MNLF members in a government-recognized “peace zone” in the area, in an apparent attempt to drive away former Muslim guerillas that have availed of the government’s reconciliation program.

Patria said they have feedback from their units in the area that nine combatants from both sides have also been wounded in the ensuing hostilities there.

Eid Kabalu, spokesman of the MILF, said they are now trying to intervene to prevent escalation of hostilities in the area.

Kabalu has confirmed that the MILF group involved in the hostilities, led by Commander Kinig, sustained fatalities.

“Some of them have already agreed to stop the fighting but last night a group from the MNLF shelled the position of our members,” Kabalu said as he confirmed reports of fatalities.

Over 500 families in Kabacan’s adjoining villages of Nangaan and Semone have evacuated to safer grounds for fear of getting trapped in the hostilities.

MNLF forces in the two areas, led by Dima Ambil, have long been complaining of wanton attacks by MILF rebels foraging for food and collecting revolutionary tax from villagers.

There have been more than five armed encounters in the two villages since late last year, precipitated by the wanton attacks by MILF guerillas.

– With AP