2 MILF factions clash in Maguindanao

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - Two factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been trading shots in recurring encounters since Wednesday at the border of Maguindanao’s adjoining towns of Rajah Buayan and Mamasapano.

The hostilities forced more than a hundred Moro families to evacuate to safer areas, according to local officials.

Rajah Buayan Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan, chairman of the municipal peace and order council, said the hostilities between the two groups, which both belong to the MILF’s 105th Base Command, was sparked by the murder of a guerrilla by another rebel from the other side.

Ampatuan said ranking leaders of the MILF’s 105th and 106th Base Commands are now trying to resolve the conflict amicably.

“The hostilities displaced about a hundred families,” Ampatuan said.

The evacuees got scared and decided to abandon their homes when the feuding MILF factions started firing anti-tank rockets and 40MM shoulder fire grenades at each others’ positions.

“The local government units in the affected towns cannot intervene because both groups are heavily armed and there are protocols agreed by the government and the MILF on how to settle this kind of security problems,” Ampatuan said.

Ampatuan has sent emissaries to convince the leaders of the two groups to disengage and reposition away from populated areas.

The mayor said the police and the military have assured to protect all thoroughfares criss-crossing Rajah Buayan from possible encroachment by either side.