Police have filed multiple murder charges against a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) National Guard and his followers for the murder of another MILF commander and his village official-son in Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao last week, officials said Saturday.
MILF National Front Commander Saya, four of his followers were charged with double murder for the killing of MILF 106th Base Commander Bato and his son Sadam Kamad, the barangay chairman of Tugal, according to Senior Inspector Cesar Ibal, police chief of Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao.
Ibal said Commander Bato and Chairman Kamad were on board their motorcycle when they were ambushed by the suspects in a far-flung village of Sultan sa Barongis.
The ambush triggered a brief firefight between the ambushers and the victims’ followers, Cebal said.
Ibal said Commander Saya has been positively identified by about five witnesses who were about three meters away from the crime scene.
Following the ambush, several hundred families in Sultan sa Barongis have fled their homes for fear of more skirmishes involving MILF commanders and their followers.
Police were looking at clan war or “rido” (family feud) led to the ambush.
"The residents learned from villagers that reinforcement team for Commander Bato were sent to avenge his death,” Ibal said. “So if these two armed groups meet, surely they will trade bullets and civilians fear they might be caught in the crossfire,” he added.
Von Al Haq, MILF Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces spokesperson, said a directive has been sent to the ground commanders not to make any movement and reinforcement on the warring parties to avoid more tension between the two.
Al Haq said an investigation is going on to determine who was at fault and appropriate action will be taken by the MILF.
The MILF said it will leave to its disciplinary board the decision on what sanctions will be imposed on whoever will be found guilty in the crime.
Due to the tension, classes in two elementary schools were suspended.
The local government and the Department of Education then decided to hold classes in nearby evacuation centers where the residents are temporarily staying.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=678378
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