Villagers return home as Army pacifies MILF infighting in Maguindanao
CONFISCATED. Some 17 assorted firearms from two warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) groups involved in a gunfight were confiscated by the military and police on Thursday afternoon, February 06, in Mileb village of Rajah Buayan in Maguindanao del Sur. (contributed photo)
COTABATO CITY – At least 50 families in Rajah Buayan town, Maguindanao del Sur province had returned to their homes and communities after the Army was able to pacify infighting members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The group of a certain Commander Marato Felmin fought against their relatives led by a certain Commander Baguindali Felmin, in the border of Rajah Buayan’s Barangay Zapakan and Barangay Mileb in Sulta sa Barongis town on Thursday, Feb. 6, sending villagers fleeing to safety.
Soldiers and policemen immediately intervened and convinced the warring armed groups to cease their gunfight.
Nobody was hurt from both sides but the military arrested 17 armed members for questioning and eventually released upon the request of the government and MILF coordinating committee on the cessation of hostilities, said Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesperson for the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID).
The fighting erupted at about 6 a.m., probably because of a dispute over land, said Orbon.
“These factions have a long-standing family feud,” Orbon said adding that they have been into several negotiations led by the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in the past years.
The 17 MILF members held for questioning are under Felmin’s group, according to Orbon.
Article continues after this advertisementWhile they were released, a total of 17 assorted long firearms were confiscated from them and are now in the custody of 33rd IB’s headquarters for safekeeping.
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Around 50 families from Sitio Damabago of Mileb village had returned home on Friday after the Army assured their safety.
A platoon of the Army has been deployed in the encounter site to secure the area.
