Police and military peacekeeping forces have been deployed in two villages of Matalam,
Senior Inspector Elias Dandan, Matalam police chief, said the followers of Commander Dima Ambel of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)and a certain Commander Majurie of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) traded bullets early Thursday.
"This is now a case of family feud involving MNLF and MILF who have relatives from either side," Dandan said.
Joint Army Special Forces and PNP have been deployed in the villages of Elian and Marbel following Thursday's clash that left two MILF fighters wounded.
Dandan identified the wounded MILF fighters as Dong Ambalatan, 33 and Naga Bimbo, 26, both of Barangay Marbel.
According to Dandan, the fighting erupted anew after one group suspected another of violating a localized truce agreed by both sides before elections.
"It has nothing to do with the election but more of a rido," Dandan said.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the 603rd brigade, said soldiers have been deployed between MILF and MNLF forces to prevent them from coming close to each other.
The conflict started last week when the MILF violated a localized agreement that they will not carry firearms or wear military uniform when they enter Marbel to conduct information drive on the Bangsamoro Framwork Agreement, according to Ambel.
The information drive was supposed to take place on May 5 but was cancelled after both sides traded bullets that left one MILF killed and two others hurt.
The International Monitoring Team (IMT) came into the picture and came up with a truce that will prevent clashes in the future on May 8.
However, the MNLF claimed that the MILF violated the truce again by trying to put up sattelite camp in Barangay Marbel.
Barangay Marbel is a known bailiwick of the Kuwatato State Revolutionary Committee chaired by Commander Ambel.
The area has been known as MNLF territory following the 1996 peace agreement between MNLF and the government.
Ambel was opposed to planned establishment of an MILF satellite camp in Barangay Marbel.
Dandan said about a hundred families have fled to safer grounds. He said most of the evacuees were relatives of both the MNLF and MILF.
Dandan said the area is not quiet but very volatile as both sides are heavily armed.
Capt. Bulao also appealed to both the MNLF and MILF toi respect the IMT-initiated localized truce.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=525530
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