GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Security forces were deployed on Sunday, August 29, in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat and Maitum, Sarangani to diffuse the tension between the warring groups of Moro Islamic Liberation Front members the past days.
Brig. Gen. Edgardo Gubat, 601st Brigade commander, said army troops and policemen have been deployed in Barangay Kanipaan, Palimbang and Barangay Mindupok, Maitum, to diffuse the tension caused by sporadic fightings between the warring members of the MILF belonging to Commanders Monde Binago and Teng Jakiri.
He said troops had launched mortar shelling on the position of the warring groups to avert the possible escalation of the skirmishes that would displace civilian residents in the conflict-stricken areas.
Jun Mangulamas, operation officer of Palimbang municipal disaster risk reduction management office, said some 400 families have been displaced after they fled their homes in barangays Kanipaan and Napnapon.
He said the tension between the two MILF factions was triggered by the killings of Macky Sumail and Bapa Pelaez, both members of the Moro National Liberation Front, in separate incidents early this month in Barangay Napnapan, Palimbang.
He said the killings were believed carried out by Monde Binago and his group.
The victims who had relatives from other faction of the MILF launched retaliatory attacks against the armed group belonging to Monde Binago in Barangays Kanipaan, Palimbang, and Barangay Mindupok, Maitum the past days.
He said one MILF member belonging to Commander Pinda was killed in an encounter with the group of Commander Monde Binago in Barangay Mindupok. Two civilians, a mother and her 13 year-old daughter, were wounded after they were trapped during the firefight.
Aside from military intervention, Gubat, said he had already sought the assistance of the MILF hierarchy to meddle to resolve the conflict between the warring factions of its organization.