2 Moro rebel groups face off

From the Manila Standard Today (Jul 23): 2 Moro rebel groups face off

Dozens were feared killed and scores wounded in fierce clashes between Moro Islamic Liberation Front and a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front in Matalam, Cotabato that started on Saturday.

MNLF commander Bensaleh Sharifah said the battle continues to rage on Monday, adding that the clashes could result in more casualties, even as thousands of residents were forced to flee to adjacent towns. said MNLF commander Bensaleh Sharifah.

“Tuloy pa rin ang bakbakan dito,” Sharifah said.

The continuing clashes also forced government forces to close down a portion of the Cotabato-Davao highway in North Cotabato to protect travellers from the violence.

Sharifah said the skirmishes happened when MILF fighters entered Barangay Malabuan, an MNLF territory, to conduct a peace caravan but the incident turned bloody when an MNLF breakaway faction refused them entry.

The MNLF breakaway group was reportedly led by Datu Dima Ambel, identified with the council of 15 of self-proclaimed MNLF chairman Muslimin Sema who broke away from the Nur Misuari-led MNLF side.

The council of 15 is aligned with the government.

PNP North Cotabato provincial director Sr. Supt Danilo Peralta said there were casualties on both sides but could not give specific figures as policemen and military forces were only monitoring the clashes to prevent them from spilling over to nearby towns.

But regional paper Mindanao Examiner, said the fighting left two MNLF gunmen dead and one MILF rebel wounded, quoting Von Al-Haq, a spokesman for the MILF.

A separate source said a barangay watchman initially identified only as Balang, and an MILF guerilla named Larih Pala, were reportedly wounded I during the skirmishes.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/07/23/2-moro-rebel-groups-face-off/