Killing of 2 MNLF men triggers renewed fighting between rival Moro groups in North Cotabato

From InterAksyon (Jun 8): Killing of 2 MNLF men triggers renewed fighting between rival Moro groups in North Cotabato



MATALAM, North Cotabato -- Two members of the Moro National Liberation Front were killed when fighters of the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front attacked a farming village in North Cotabato on Friday, the military said.

Captain Antonio Bulao, local Army spokesman, accused the MILF of violating a local truce when it attacked the village of Marbel in Matalam town.

He said the slain MNLF members were unarmed.

Bulao identified the victims as Toto Manial and Eddie Buisan, who both died on the spot from gunshot wounds in the head and body.

Quoting reports from village officials and Army troops stationed in Barangay Marbel, Bulao said the victims were going to their farms when the MILF fighters, led by Commanders Ali Mansur and Salonga of the 108th Base Command, shot them.

”It was a clear violation of the localized truce by the MILF,” Bulao said.

The MNLF retaliated, with fighting stopping only when the Army fired warning salvos from mortars and howitzers.

Bulao said the rival rebel groups had earlier declared a truce brokered by the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team and local government units.

The agreement calls for the repositioning of the MILF from Barangay Marbel, where the two groups clashed before the May 13 elections.

”They did not reposition their troops, instead they continued harassing civilians identified with the MNLF,” Bulao said.

The conflict started on May 5 when the MILF was to hold an advocacy forum on the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro in Barangay Marbel, a known bailiwick of the MNLF that was declared a peace zone after the MNLF forged an agreement with the government in 1996.

Datu Dima Ambel, MNLF leader in the area, allowed the MILF to hold the forum but requested them not to wear military uniforms or carry weapons.

However, the MILF came in full battle gear.

This triggered skirmishes that left at least three persons killed and three others wounded.

Thousands of civilians have been displaced by the skirmishes between the two warring groups.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/63603/killing-of-2-mnlf-men-triggers-renewed-fighting-between-rival-moro-groups-in-north-cotabato