MNLF accuses MILF of attacking civilians in North Cotabato triggering more evacuation

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 27): MNLF accuses MILF of attacking civilians in North Cotabato triggering more evacuation
 
Marauding Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerillas on Saturday fired at a group of farmers attempting to return to their sub-villages in Barangay Manubuan here triggering more evacuation of Moro people, officials here said.

The municipal disaster risk reduction management council of Matalam reported that close to 100 families from at least six villages have been affected by the conflict between MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members which the Army said was triggered by a long standing land dispute.

North Cotabato Governor Emmylo Talinio-Mendoza have repeatedly appealed to leaders of both the MILF and MNLF to settle their differences peacefully as recent events were counter productive and resulted in the displacement of Muslims in North Cotabato.

Mendoza, after presiding over the provincial peace and order council, said she was saddened by the turn of events since the conflict can be settled through dialogues and not through their firearms.

Noah Sabel, speaking for the MILF in North Cotabato, claimed that more than 150,000 hectares of agricultural land owned by members of the MILF was occupied by the MNLF after it signed a peace deal with the government in 1996.

But Dima Ambel, MNLF head for North Cotabato, stressed the area has been legally owned by members of the MNLF and has been recognized by the Philippine government after the signing of the 1996 peace agreement.

Capt. Antonio Bulao, speaking for the 602nd Infantry Army brigade, said the conflict in Barangay Manubuan which is located at the border of Matalam in North Cotabato and KidapawanCity, was an off shot of previous MILF-MNLF skirmishes in Barangay Marbel, also in this town last May.

Kida Leguaman, 43, a resident of Barangay Manubuan, said the conflict did not only displaced residents but caused the suspension of classes in Barangay Manubuan and nearby villages because the schools were used as evacuation sites.

The fighting erupted Sunday in the village of Manubuan, this town.

"It is very hard of us to be evicted because were are observing fasting," Leguaman said.

"As we were heading to our sitio to check on our valuables and soon to be harvested crops, we were fired upon by our brothers in the MILF," Leguaman said.

“MILF forces attacked the village where unarmed MNLF members were to harvest farm products,” Ambel added.

According to Melecio Openaldo, barangay chairperson of Manubuan, the displaced families refused to return home no matter how local officials would explain to them that fighting had stopped.

“They are in a difficult situation at an evacuation center in nearby Barangay Amas, KidapawanCity and refused to return home until normalcy resumes,” he said.

Portions of the highway between Matalam and KidapawanCityhas been cleared with soldiers providing highway security.

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