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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Group notes alarming spike in Central Mindanao conflict

Group notes alarming spike in Central Mindanao conflict

Published May 9, 2024 07:30 am

DAVAO CITY – An independent peacebuilding group has noted an alarming spike in conflict in Central Mindanao due to feuding clans as well as political violence in the first half of the year. 

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DISPLACED residents gather for a psychosocial activity in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur. (MDRRMO Mamasapano)

In a statement, the Council for Climate and Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) reported that the alleged fractured alliances within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have fueled an alarming spike in violence. 

"These incidents are taking place under the nose of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. It provides more evidence on the fractures of the decommissioning process as former MILF combatants still have access to weapons and are still engaged in violent conflict," it added.

Formerly known as International Alert, the CCAA cited the most recent infighting between two MILF commanders in Barangay Pembalkan and Tukanalipao in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur that displaced more than 6,000 families. 

Since January 2024, the CCAA bared that they have monitored more than 20 clashes and firefights involving the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), mostly concentrated in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Areas (SGA) in the Bangsamoro.

The SGA is composed of former 63 barangays in North Cotabato that were recently ratified through a plebiscite to create eight new towns. 

The local government of Mamasapano had earlier appealed before the BARMM leadership to step in to resolve the infighting among MILF members. 

These clashes, which have displaced at least 13,000 residents, only goes to show the stark contrast of insecurity and instability in what should be a region transitioning to peace, CCAA said.

It added that this recent incident marks the latest of the series of clashes that erupted in March and has been going on until early this month.

"What is alarming in this case is that one of the groups were surrenderees of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who were supposed to have undergone the local government’s reintegration process," the CCAA said.

Last month, the local government of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato stepped in to resolve the family feud or rido among MILF members. The infighting has displaced about 300 residents of Barangay Banucagon. 

Mayor Juanito Agustin admitted that the rido among MILF members has been one of the causes of conflict in the municipality.

Related Tags

Central Mindanao Clan war CCAA
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