7 die in MILF infighting in Sultan Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 16): 7 die in MILF infighting in Sultan Kudarat

Seven persons were killed as in-fighting between members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continued in remote villages here, police said today.

The village of Napnapan in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat has been turned into a ghost town as more than 500 persons have sought refuge in nearby villages after Moro rebels clashed since Friday night, according to Senior Insp. Romeo Calamba said.

Calamba, Palimbang police chief, said involved in the clan war were groups of Commander Brian Andi of the MILF 104th base command and Commander Bondi Binago of the MILF 105th base command. Both groups have been trading bullets in the village of Napnapan.

Sporadic skirmishes continue until Sunday morning involving the two warring groups.

Commander Andi and his men stormed the village of Napnapan from nearby village of Kanipaan on Friday night to retaliate the death of Kadil Kongo. Kongo was shot dead by two motorcycle riding men on August 2. An eight year old boy was hit by stray bullets and also died.

Heavily armed, the group of Andi attacked the location of Commander Binago, sending some 500 villagers fleeing.

Police said Binago's group suffered five fatalities while two on the side of Andi. Fighting was still on going as of posting.

Calamba said the MILF leadership has sent emissaries to pacify warring groups and prevent further escalation of conflict.

An MILF officials who asked not to be identified said the members were acting on their own and it was not an organizational fighting.

More police forces and soldiers were deployed in the periphery of Palimbang, a coastal town in Sultan Kudarat near the border of Maguindanao to avoid other armed groups from taking advantage of the situation.

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