Warring MILF leaders trigger exodus in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY – Thousands of villagers have fled their homes in Mindanao following deadly clashes between two warring commanders of the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

At least 2 people were reported killed and many more wounded in sporadic fighting that began last week in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. The commanders of the MILF’S 105th and 118th Base Command and their clans are locked in bitter feud and control over a large area of lands being claimed by both sides.

The military could not provide details of the clashes and it was unclear why it failed to prevent the skirmishes between the two armed groups. The MILF also failed to control its commanders. The governor of Maguindanao, Esmael Mangudadatu, remains silent over the breakdown of peace and order in the town.

The clashes coincided with the senate hearing on the Milf-proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law that will govern an expanded Muslim autonomous region in southern Philippines if approved by Congress and passed the plebiscite. The MILF signed an interim peace deal with Manila in 2014.

The violence erupted while the army managed to patch up a clan war involving Vice Mayor Jafar Dipatuan of Bacolodkalawi and Mayor Al Fatah Pacalna Balindong of Tugaya, both of Lanao del Sur province. Both families engaged in deadly fighting over the past decade.

Clan leaders also surrendered high-powered firearms, including two .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifles, six M14 rifles; seven M16 rifles; four M203 grenade launchers; three M79 grenade launchers, one .30-caliber rifle and a Browning automatic rifle, according to Captain Joann Petinglay, a spokeswoman for the Western Mindanao Command.