Moro National Liberation Front. AFP FILE PHOTO
KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines—At least three men were killed when violence erupted anew between members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and that of its rival, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in Matalam, North Cotabato province, on New Year’s Eve, authorities reported on Saturday.
The renewed hostilities came even after leaders of both groups had signed a peace treaty about two years ago, North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza told the Inquirer.
Senior Insp. Sunny Leoncito, Matalam police chief, said the latest clash took place in Barangay Kidama, when followers of the two groups, which are locked in land disputes, accidentally crossed paths on Thursday.
Leoncito identified those killed as MNLF men Dadrodin Ingkig, 27; Taya Akmad, 60; and a certain Marcial, 35.
He reported that, as a result of the clash, more than 1,000 residents fled the villages of Kidama and Marbel.
Mendoza said the provincial government started giving aid to the evacuees as soon as they had settled in safer areas.
She said the renewed hostilities between the MNLF and MILF in Matalam had surprised officials as the disputes had already been subject of a settlement in 2013.
During the signing of the treaty, Mendoza recalled, leaders of the rival groups had agreed not to use violence to resolve disputes.
The agreement, signed by Dima Ambel of the MNLF and Kagui Abas Bayan of the MILF’s 108th Base Command, called for the pullout of a total of 1,300 guerillas in embattled farming enclaves to hasten peace in the town.
Mendoza said the New Year’s Eve clash was puzzling but she was leaving the investigation to the police.
“This is now a police matter,” she said.
Mendoza said in the meantime, the provincial government will continue to provide aid to the evacuees.
Matalam Mayor Oscar Valdevieso said he was not sure if it would be safe for the evacuees to return to their homes even if the fighting has ceased.