AIDING THE EVACUEES. Barangay officials of Bagoinged, Pagalungan, Maguindanao distribute relief food packs to some of the families displaced by "infighting" between two sub-commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the border of Pagalungan and Pikit, North Cotabato on Monday (April 13, 2020). The conflict, which erupted over the weekend, was triggered by a "rido" (family feud) and has hurt six civilians and uprooted some 200 families in at least three adjoining villages. (Photo courtesy of Pagalungan LGU)
COTABATO CITY – Residents of a remote village in the Maguindanao town of Pagalungan have appealed to the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to put an end to the “infighting” among its field commanders that has already resulted in civilian injuries and the evacuation of about 200 families.
The appeal was aired on Tuesday morning by Edris Lumambas of Barangay Bagoinged, Pagalungan, Maguindanao and one of the six civilians injured when a rifle grenade projectile was fired from a nearby village.
“For our sake, and for the sake of our people who are already hurting from (the) enhanced community quarantine, please tell (the) MILF leaders to do something,” Lumambas said.
The wife of Lumambas and his two children were also injured in the blast from the grenade projectile that landed on their home on Sunday.
The rifle grenade came from the other side of the river of Bagoinged, particularly in Barangay Talitay, Pikit, North Cotabato where MILF commander Benjamin Mantol is located.
Pagalungan Mayor Salik Mamasabulod said the hostilities involving MILF sub-commanders were triggered by a “rido” (family feud) over a land dispute.
Mantol, currently the village chair of Talitay, Pikit, is reportedly locked in a “rido” with MILF commander Ricky Hussain who is based in Barangay Bagoinged.
The two warring MILF commanders have been trading bullets since Sunday and accounts from residents said both groups have suffered two fatalities each.
“Double whammy on our part: We cannot go out to buy food, there is a (community) quarantine that limits our movement and there is gunfire. We don’t know what to do,” Amang Zahab, a resident of Barangay Bagoinged, told reporters in an interview.
Zahab appealed to Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan and Pagalungan Mayor Mamasabulod to intervene on their behalf.
Mamasabulod said emissaries of the MILF were sent to both sides and are expected to come out with good results. (PNA)
