MILF infighting sends 200 families fleeing in North Cotabato, conflict settled amicably

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 4): MILF infighting sends 200 families fleeing in North Cotabato, conflict settled amicably

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a remote village here refused to return home for fear the clan war, which was amicably settled by local officials and government and Moro rebel peace panels, could erupt again.

But police and local officials assured the evacuees a ceasefire agreement has been reached between warring families, led by Village Chaiperson Abdulla Abdulsalam Maraguer of Baragay Burikain, Pigcawayan and Kandil Sampiano, alias Commander Kandil, leader of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 105th base command.

Both belonged to the MILF and have armed followers.

According to Senior Insp. Arnel Melocotones, town police chief of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, the infighting erupted last month when one of Commander Kandil’s relatives was killed in a clash involving his men and the followers of Chairperson Maraguer.

A relative of Maraguer was wounded in another shooting incident, also in the village, and the village official blamed the group of Commander Kandil.

On Monday morning, Commander Kandil’s men ambushed Chairperson Maraguer in Sitio Dos, Barangay Burikain, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato. The village chair escaped unhurt but his driver-escort, John Paul Maraguer, was slightly wounded.

In the afternoon, Maraguer led an assault on the location of Commander Kandil, triggering a five-hour sporadic fire fight that lasted until Tuesday morning.

”It was a family feud, the MILF as an organization was not involved,” Melocotones said. But the conflict forced some 200 Moro families or about 5,000 persons, to flee to nearby villages.

Melocotones said a ceasefire has been reached at 3 p.m. Tuesday between warring clans.

Despite the peaceful settlement of clan war, the displaced families refused to return home, according to Melocotones.

One of the displaced persons told reporters she believed the conflict could erupt again anytime since there was no blood money involved and both warring families did not swear before the Quran, Muslim’s holy book.

”Unless both sides pay blood money and swear before the Quran, I am afraid to return home,” Salambai Akil, a farmer from Barangay Burakain, said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Roquero has directed the local social welfare office to attend to the needs of displaced families.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=823022