Standoff: MILF rebs won’t leave MNLF area

From the Manila Standard Today (May 9): Standoff: MILF rebs won’t leave MNLF area

Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front forces remained locked in a standoff in Barangay Marbel, Matalam, North Cotabato on Wednesday, triggering fears of a bloody clash which could seriously affect the holding of the mid-term elections in the area.

Military reports said that 4,000 MNLF fighters had surrounded the position of hundreds of the MILF rebels in Barangay Marbel.

The MILF rebels had refused to vacate the MNLF territory since Tuesday despite being told by MNLF rebels to vacate the area.

The incident had already left one person dead in the ensuing firefight and had displaced nearly 3,000 residents in the area.

Commission on Elections officials in North Cotabato is reportedly coordinating with Philippine National Police and military officials on the possible relocation of polling precincts in the area in anticipation of a possible clash between the two Muslim groups.

“Should the MILF forces refuse to withdraw from the MNLF controlled area, fighting could erupt as they are now fully surrounded by heavily armed MNLF fighters,” said MNLF Peace Panel Member Absalom Cerveza.

The MILF forces, together with some government peace advocates entered Brgy. Marbel early morning Tuesday to conduct a peace dialogue among residents in the area as part of a peace caravan for the framework agreement between the government and the MILF.

But the residents, most of whom support the MNLF, ignored the presence of the peace caravan and instead left their homes for fear of harassment.

Fighting between the MILF forces led by commander Hadji Ali Mashur and Datu Demat Pedtamanan and the MNLF group led by Datu Dima Ambel erupted after the MNLF accused the MILF of “pressuring” the residents to join the peace caravan.

Police forces have already been mobilized in Brgy Marbel and parts of Matalam town to secure the residents and prevent the violence from escalating.

Amy 6th Infantry Division Spokesman Colonel Dixon Hermoso said army troopers were also deployed at the outskirts of Brgy Marbel but added that their troops would not interfere in the stand-off.

North Cotabato provincial Police Director Supt. Danilo Peralta said the lack of proper coordination by the MILF and peace advocates had triggered the fighting.

Cerveza said Brgy Marbel town has been turned into a no-man’s land since the residents had already left their homes.

Meanwhile, Cerveza noted that that MNLF Commander Datu Dima Ambel is a tested fighter who was originally a member of the group of 90 also known as “black shirts” who figured in the Mindanao rebellion in the 70s.

Ambel was also a part of the Mindanao Independent Movement under the command of Untog Matalam, together with former MNLF commanders Jerry Salapuddin, Alonto and several others, Cerveza added.

“Datu Dima Ambel belongs to the council of 15 under self proclaimed MNLF chieftain Muslimin Sema, but he also has good relations with MNLF commanders,” he said.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/05/09/standoff-milf-rebs-wont-leave-mnlf-area/