Land dispute triggers armed conflict in NorCot

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 30): Land dispute triggers armed conflict in NorCot

The military here said Friday that the skirmishes in the villages here and in nearby Aleosan, North Cotabato was triggered by land dispute involving Moro armed groups.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, the long standing land dispute flared up the other day when Abdulrashid Ali of the 105th base command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) harassed a group of Moro para-military forces stationed in Barangay Bualan, Pikit, North Cotabato.

”It was not an organizational fight, the conflict was more of personal, triggered by land conflict,” Encinas said.

Soldiers have been deployed as peacekeeping force and did not engage the group of Ali, also Commander RP, in a firefight in deference to the on-going peace process between Manila and the MILF.

Encinas said Army units in Pikit and Aleosan are now guarding the conflict-stricken village to prevent a repeat of the incident.

Soldiers under the 602nd Infantry Brigade are now securing the communities in the borders of North Cotabato and Maguindanao to prevent attacks by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) like what the group did in Malagakit, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/998244