MILF, MNLF rivalry continue

BASILAN – The rivalry between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continues in the restive province of Basilan in the Bangsamoro autonomous region.

Both groups maintain territories manned by heavily-armed members in various towns and despite tight security imposed by the police and military, occasional clashes still continue.

Just recently, fighting erupted in the village of Bacud in Tipo-tipo town following the confiscation of alleged illegal drugs by MILF forces from a member of the MNLF on August 28.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from both sides. The clash occurred a day after members of the MILF and MNLF traded gunfire in the village of Parangbasak in Lamitan City.

The fighting reportedly killed a member of the MNLF. The clashes stopped after government forces rushed to the area to prevent the escalation of violence between the two warring groups.

Both the MILF and the MNLF have huge forces in Basilan. The Western Mindanao Command and the 1st Infantry Division did not issue any statement and neither the MILF or MNLF leaderships.

The rivalry is not exclusive to Basilan, both groups had figured in intense fighting in the past in other parts of Mindanao. And now, the MILF claims to have forces in Sulu and Tawi-tawi provinces which are strongholds of the MNLF under Nur Misuari.

The MILF is a breakaway faction of the MNLF and has signed a peace deal with the government in 2004 while the MNLF inked a peace accord in 1996. (Mindanao Examiner)