Armed clashes displace 70 IP families in Maguindanao Sur

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 13, 2023): Armed clashes displace 70 IP families in Maguindanao Sur (By Edwin Fernandez)

DISPLACED. Several families displaced by sporadic clashes between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, which broke out Monday (Sept. 11, 2023), take shelter in an unfinished village center in Barangay Poblacion. Some of the evacuees stayed with their relatives in the town center. (Photo courtesy of Maguindanao Sur PDRRMO)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao Sur – Ongoing sporadic clashes between a Moro Islamic Liberation Front group and Dawlah Islamiya (DI) local terrorists in Datu Hoffer town of this province have sent more than 70 families fleeing to safer areas.

Ameer Jehad Ambolodto, Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) officer, said the displaced families belonging to Teduray Indigenous Peoples (IPs) are temporarily housed in an unfinished building in the area.

“As of today, no word yet from the military if the IPs can return home,” Ambolodto said in an interview Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the clashes between Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Saga Malandag of 118th base command and DI-Hassan Group under commander Abdulnasser Guianid, started since Monday in Barangay Mother Tuayan, Datu Hoffer town.

Government troops also found two dead DI combatants at the clash site.

Residents claimed they could still hear gunshots believed to be from both sides of the warring groups as of this posting.

Pangcog said a long-standing “rido” (family feud) between Guianid and Malandag triggered the skirmishes.

Lt. Albert Pansoy, Datu Hoffer town police chief, said the police and military forces in Datu Hoffer, an upland town, remained on heightened alert.

Ambolodto said the provincial government is ready to augment the emergency assistance to the evacuees estimated at 360 individuals.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1209766