Google map of Maguindanao province. (Mindanao Examiner)
COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 1, 2013) – An unidentified group fired several mortar rounds on Sunday in the town of Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao province in the Muslim autonomous region southern Philippines.
The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center (MinHRAC) reported that the mortar bombs were fired from the village of Buayan in Datu Piang town towards the direction of Dasawao village and in the mountains of Ganta and Bakat.
It said the areas had been abandoned since last month due to sporadic fighting between troops and rebels.
“No displacement occurred as there were no residents in the villages. Residents have not returned home yet since the fighting in Dasawao on August 12. MinHRAC grassroots monitors are closely monitoring the situation,” it said in a bulletin sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Security forces have been fighting members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement which is pursuing an independent Muslim state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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