MILF, MNLF clash in North Cotabato

From Rappler (Aug 15): MILF, MNLF clash in North Cotabato

At least 50 families left their homes in Matalam, North Cotabato after members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front battled with forces of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Wednesday, August 14, the military said.

Capt Antonio Bulao of the military's 602nd Infantry Brigade said the firefight started when more than 10 MILF rebels under Commander Alimansur Imbong of the 108th Base Command torched a house of Macapagal Mangadta in Purok 5, Barangay Kidama at around 9:30 Wednesday morning.

Mangadta is a brother of a certain Commander Dragon of the MNLF.

There are no reports of casualties as of posting. Bulao said the MILF rebels withdrew toward the direction of Barangay Marbel.

The MILF is a breakaway group of the MNLF. Under the Ramos government, the MNLF signed a peace pact that put an end to their rebellion, but the former rebels are now saying some of the provisions of the agreement have not been fulfilled.

The MNLF's renewed calls for a review of the agreement intensified after the Aquino government and the MILF signed a framework agreement that set the stage for the signing of a final peace pact.

http://www.rappler.com/nation/36526-milf,-mnlf-clash-in-north-cotabato