Cotabato City, Philippines — Four persons were killed and four others were wounded in clashes between rival groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday.
Among the fatalities was villager Baguer Laguiam, who was caught in the crossfire in a secluded barangay in Radjah Buayan. Two other villagers were wounded.
The groups of MILF commanders identified only as Uti and Blacky, who are squabbling for control of parcels of land in Radjah Buayan, were involved in the clash.
Members of the municipal peace and order council led by Mayor Maruja Mastura are initiating dialogues to convince the leaders of the warring groups to settle their differences.
Reports reaching the police and military showed that three other persons were killed and two others were wounded in a gunfight in Barangay Kapinpilan in Ampatuan town.
Capt. Guiseppe Tamayo, Ampatuan police chief, said the clash involved members of the MILF’s 105th and 118th Base Commands.