Residents flee as MILF rebels storm village in Sultan Kudarat

COTABATO CITY—Dozens of residents fled their homes in Barangay Napnapan in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels under the 105th Base Command stormed the village on Friday evening.

Senior Insp. Romeo Calamba, Palimbang town police chief, said the rebels were apparently looking for the group of Brian Binago, who was reportedly behind the killing of an 8-year old boy on Aug. 2.

Calimba said the boy, identified as Niknik Andi and a relative of most of the attackers, was hit by a stray bullet when Binago’s men allegedly shot dead a Kadil Kongo in Barangay Kanipaan.

Kongo himself was reportedly a member of the 105th Base Command.

Maguindanao crown prince Datu Mama Mastura, a resident of Napnapan, said his brother and Maguindanao Sultan Salem Abdulaziz Guiwan Mastura Kudarat V sent emissaries to help prevent the situation from further escalating as the attackers and another band of armed men engaged in a firefight.

Mastura said they got reports that a number of combatants on both sides were either wounded or killed during Friday’s attack and this could worsen the situation unless a ceasefire and settlement were reached.

Mayor Abubakar Pendatun Maulana said he also sent Commander Zulkarnain Diok Maulana of the Moro National Liberation Front to help pacify the warring groups and to convince them to agree on a peace negotiation.

The MILF said it was not involved in the conflict as an organization and also said it was helping address the situation. RC