From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 14): MILF,MNLF traded bullets in North Cotabato after house burning
Fighting erupted anew between members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MINLF) in a remote village here that forced some 50 families fleeing, the military here said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=555054
Fighting erupted anew between members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MINLF) in a remote village here that forced some 50 families fleeing, the military here said.
Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the military’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, said the renewed conflict started when members of the MILF, led by Commander Alimansur Imbong, torched the house of Macapagal Mangadta, brother of MNLF commander Dragon at about 9:30 a.m.
“The attackers also butchered the carabao of Mangadta which angered more the MNLF in the area,” Bulao said.
“Since noon, both sides have been trading bullets sporadically,” Bulao said, adding that the military stayed at the sideline and never interfere to avoid misencounter.
He said the military believed the recent conflict is not sanctioned by the leadership of two Moro fronts.
“We appeal to the leaders of the MILF and MNLF to discipline their field commanders to avoid unnecessary loss of lives and properties,” Bulao said.
Both sides have been observing a localized truce facilitated by the military, the International Monitoring Team and the local governments after a long standing land dispute brought both sides into on and off shooting war since May.
Bulao said the affected families have fled to safer grounds. He also assured the MILF-MNLF conflict is far from portions of the Cotabato-Davao national highway.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=555054