Negotiations up as 4 killed in NoCot’s MILF infighting

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 12, 2022): Negotiations up as 4 killed in NoCot’s MILF infighting (By John Andrew Tabugoc)

PIKIT, North Cotabato – Negotiations are underway to end the infighting between two factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front here that has claimed four lives, including a civilian, police said Friday.

Major Maxim Peralta, the town police chief, said the series of clashes that erupted since Wednesday night involved the groups of MILF commander Bugdad Matalam Akas and Ustadz Walid Mamasamlang, both based in Barangay Macabual.

“Both groups are MILF members in the area,” Peralta told reporters here in an interview.

He identified those killed as Ronnie Dianalan 40; Makron Baginda, 20; and Mama Dianalan, 37; and Lito Quiñones, 59, a civilian.

Another civilian, identified as Reynaldo Mercado, 50, of Barangay Lower Ladtingan, was injured by stray bullets during the clashes.

“All those killed from Barangay Macabual are followers of the opposing groups,” Peralta said.

Bugdad Akas is a brother of Barangay Macabual chair Jalandoni Matalam Akas, whose killing last month was blamed on Mamasamlang.

Peralta said all affected 50 families in the village have started returning home amid the negotiations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1181181