Friday, April 25, 2014

300 civilians flee "infighting" among MILF guerillas in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 25): 300 civilians flee "infighting" among MILF guerillas in Maguindanao

Four civilians were hurt when warring groups clashed in Maguindanao over long standing land dispute.

Colonel Dickson Hermoso, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said two groups identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) traded bullets with each other since Wednesday, sending hundreds of civilians fleeing.

The clash site was Barangay Balanaken in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. Fighting broke out at 9 a.m. and lasted until about 2 p.m.

"The victims were hit by stray bullets," Hermoso told reporters.

Sporadic exchange of bullets still continues despite the presence of government forces but did not intervene to allow MILF leaders to patch up the misunderstanding among their men.

The skirmishes was triggered by a long standing land dispute involving leaders of the MILF.

Hermoso said the fighting sent some 300 families fleeing to safer grounds.

He said no members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were involved in the conflict which is now being addressed by the government and MILF joint ceasefire panel.

Fighting simmered down Friday, a Holy day for Islamic believers.

But civilians refused to return home unless normalcy is restored in their communities.

Most of the displaced families are now housed at the Datu Gumbay Elementary School in Barangay Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=637974

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.