Hundreds refuse to go home after clash of MILF, Ilonggo farmers

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 24): Hundreds refuse to go home after clash of MILF, Ilonggo farmers

Matalam, Cotabato – At least 615 residents from two of the remotest barangays here continued to languish at the evacuation sites located at the town’s center after Moro rebels, believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), clashed three days ago with armed farmers, some of them members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team.

Chief Insp. Elias Colonia, chief of Matalam Police, said the firefight transpired at Purok-4, Barangay Estado, Matalam, between members of the MILF under Kagui Mansur Imbong, deputy brigade commander of the 5th Brigade under the 108th base command, and Ilonggo farmers from Barangay Estado, also in Matalam, around 9:30 a.m. last March 20.

Three Ilonggo farmers were wounded during the firefight identified as Herman Marcos Berto, 39, of Midsayap, Cotabato; Antonio Banoc Degamo, member of CAFGU under 52nd North Cotabato Civilian Active Auxiliary Company of the Bravo Company of the 38th Infantry Battalion; and Robin Daruca Pajes of Barangay Estado, Matalam.

Of the wounded, Pajes sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City for further treatment, Colonia said.

The police officer said that to pacify the two warring factions and prevent breakdown of peace and order in the affected areas, they immediately proceeded to the village.

Colonia said they first tried to negotiate with the MILF rebels but their leader Imbong refused to heed their calls since he had already carried out a plan to retaliate and attack a group of Ilonggo farmers at Barangay Estado, allegedly led by Barangay Estado chairman Ernesto Doong.

The warring groups claim that while they were harvesting corn they were fired upon by their enemies which resulted in the exchange of gunfire.

Both sides also claimed they rightfully own the lands.

Colonia said that around 8 a.m., on Saturday, Habib Guiabar of the MILF Local Monitoring Team informed him that a ceasefire was already pronounced by the MILF command in Barangay Estado.

Yet, despite the local truce, evacuees have expressed fears to go back to their homes.

http://www.mb.com.ph/hundreds-refuse-to-go-home-after-clash-of-milf-ilonggo-farmers/