MATALAM, North Cotabato – On the first working
day of 2016, the provincial government of North Cotabato have buckled down to
work and extended assistance to about 186 families displaced by armed conflict
involving two Moro armed group in a remote village on New Year’s Eve.
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza ordered the distribution
of relief goods to 186 families displaced by skirmishes involving Moro Islamic
Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The displaced families, now staying at village hall of
Barangay Kidama. Many of whom refused to return home as long as armed MILF and
MNLF remain in the village.
They also sought the help of local leaders to mediate so
normalcy will return to the affected village.
Three MNLF members were killed when the group of Commander
Ambalatan of the MILF attacked the community where followers and families of
MNLF Commander Mangadta reside.
Engr. Marilyn Samson, Matalam Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Officer, said three sub-villages have been deserted by
villagers of Barangay Kidama.
Some Muslim residents said they expected retaliatory attacks
from the aggrieved party since they lost three relatives and they do not want
to endanger their lives.
Samson said the town disaster unit is still awaiting green
light from the local police or the military when to allow return of displaced
families.
Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry
Division, said the conflict was more of a personal grudge due to land dispute
involving two Moro families who happened to be identified with the Moro fronts.
She said in a radio interview that soldiers from the 602nd
Infantry Brigade have been deployed as peacekeepers while the government and
MILF coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities have sent
emissaries to mediate.
Senior Inspector Sunny Leoncito, Matalam town police chief,
identified the MNLF fatalities as Taya Akmad, Badrudin Ingkeg and a certain
Marcial.
Police investigators are yet to determine what really
triggered the conflict since amicable settlement of territorial dispute had
been done in the past.
Police also reported six houses in the village were torched
by attacking gunmen.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=843224
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