Army, MILF clash anew in Maguindanao


ARMY troopers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) men clashed anew in two barangays in Mamasapano, Maguindanao early morning Wednesday.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu said the first encounter happened at around 2:30 a.m. when relatives of two MILF commanders killed by police authorities last October 18 attacked a Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) detachment in Tuca, Mamasapano.

Kabalu identified the attackers as relatives of MILF commanders Abdul Hadji Jamin and Mohamidin. Jamin and
Mohamiding were reportedly abducted and killed by policemen from Sharif Aguak last month.

"Nabagalan yata sa imbestigasyon ng pulis sa pagpatay sa kanilang relatives kaya inatake nila yung detachment," he said.

After the attack in Tuca, Kabalu said, police personnel encountered another group of MILF rebels in Barangay Lupok.

He said a fierce firefight ensued that lasted until noontime Wednesday. Kabalu said they are still waiting for reports from field commanders to ascertain the number of casualties from the two-armed encounters.

The recent skirmishes interrupted a two-year-old truce that was being observed by international monitors from Brunei and Malaysia.

Brigadier General Alexander Yano, chairman of a joint committee overseeing the ceasefire, said committee members along with representatives of the MILF were proceeding to the area to look into the incident.

"We will let the (ceasefire committee) handle the matter first," Yano said.

He added that the military is verifying reports that the MILF is massing its forces in the area.

The government hopes to start peace talks with the MILF after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ends later this month. Malaysia has agreed to host the talks.