A three-year-old child was killed by stray bullets when two Moro armed group leaders traded shots over land dispute in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao, the Army here said.
Lt. Colonel Gerry Besana, spokesperson of the Army-led anti-crime Task Force Central, said the conflict erupted Friday afternoon and was still going on as of Sunday evening involving leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“Land dispute and territorial conflict,” Besana said when asked what triggered the hostilities that also sent several residents fleeing to safer grounds.
Killed due to stray bullets was Asraf Maguindap, 3, of Barangay Buluan, Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Initial Army report showed that the warring groups belonged to two base commands of the MILF operating in Ampatuan and neighboring Datu Abdulla Sangki, also in Maguindanao.
“The group of Commanders Mauti Sangki and Yacob Sangki is fighting against the group of Datu Itim Ampatuan of the MILF 106th base command,” Besana said.
Aside from territorial conflict, the warring groups are also competing over control of strategic areas near the Delinanas Cavendish banana firm situated in the boundary of Ampatuan-Abdulla Sangki towns.
Accordingly, the group of Sangki is reportedly being supported by Mama Simpal of the IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Besana said four members of the warring groups were reportedly killed during the sporadic skirmishes. He added that the conflict had died down Monday after the MILF leadership sent emissaries to pacify the warring leaders.
Abu Amir, speaking for a faction of the BIFF, said his group was not involved in the conflict. He described the hostilities as “infighting” between MILF leaders who wanted to control large part of the banana plantation for “revenue.”
The skirmishes erupted days after Abdula Sangki town Mayor Miriam Mangudadatu ordered the temporary closure of Delinanas banana firm due to security concern and other issues, including non-compliance of business permit requirements and alleged non-payments of rentals of lands used as banana plantation area.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1025705
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