COTABATO CITY – Heavy fighting erupted between two rival rebel groups in the restive Muslim province of Maguindanao in southern Philippines where pro-ISIS militants are actively operating.
The 6th Infantry Division on Friday has confirmed the clashes between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and said the ferocious fighting lasted 6 hours.
It said one BIFF member, Saudi Sabang, was killed in clashes which occurred Thursday in Pimbalakan village in Mamasapano town. “After six hours of exchanging of fires, the BIFF members withdrew towards Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in Maguindanao using motorized pump boat while others traversed by foot,” the army said, adding, there was no report of MILF casualties.
It was unclear what triggered the fighting, but both rebel groups are actively operating in the province. There was no immediate statement from the MILF, which signed an interim peace deal with the Aquino administration in 2014.
But Major General Cirilito Sobejana, the army division commander, said the “MILF leadership is determined to eradicate the peace spoilers and to defeat the threat group from doing terroristic activities in Central Mindanao.”
Sobejana said the continued support and cooperation of the MILF and the community will hasten and complement the ability of the Joint Task Force Central to counter the efforts of the radical extremist groups in sowing fear and violence in the region.
The BIFF, whose members were former MILF rebels, pledged allegiance to ISIS and is fighting for a separate Muslim homeland in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
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