Thursday, January 7, 2016

Hundreds flee as MILF factions clash anew in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 7): Hundreds flee as MILF factions clash anew in N. Cotabato

Atrocities sparked anew between two factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) here early Thursday morning that forced hundreds of civilian families scampering to safer grounds once more.

P/Insp. Sindatu Karim, Pikit police chief, said the encounter started 5:30 a.m. in Barangays Rajamuda and Talitay after the conniving groups of MILF sub-commanders Mokamad Andoy and Ricky Hussain attacked the men of MILF leader Buto Mantol in adjacent Barangay Talitay.

“Fighting later escalated to the nearby villages of Bulod and Rajamuda,” Karim said.

He added that the warring parties have a score to settle with as brought about by a recent land conflict that fueled the ongoing atrocity.

"Hundreds of men from both group are now engaged in the gun battle,” Karim said.

This developed as local leaders and coordinating government agencies are utilizing all means to pacify the opposing factions.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) chief Tahita Kalantungan said that hundreds of families from the three villages have sought shelter at the town center.

In neighboring Matalam town, over 180 families remain in evacuation centers after the same MILF factions clashed during Christmas time in remote Kidama village.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=844207

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