Civilians flee as MILF clash with armed villagers in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY -At least 615 residents from two remotest barangays here continue to languish at the evacuation sites located at the town’s center after Moro rebels believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clashed three days ago with armed farmers, some of them members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team. Chief Inspector Elias Colonia, chief of Matalam Police, said the firefight transpired at Purok-4, Barangay Estado, Matalam, between members of the MILF under Kagui Mansur Imbong, deputy brigade commander of the 5thBrigade under the 108thbase command, and Ilonggo farmers from Barangay Estado, also in Matalam, around 930am, on March 20. Three Ilonggo farmers were wounded during the firefight identified as Herman Marcos Berto, 39, of Midsayap, Cotabato Antonio Banoc Degamo, member of CAFGU under 52ndNorth Cotabato Civilian Active Auxiliary Company of the Bravo Company of the 38thInfantry Battalion and Robin Daruca Pajes of Barangay Estado, Matalam. Of the wounded, Pajes sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City for further treatment, Colonia said. The police officer said that to pacify the two warring factions and prevent breakdown of peace and order in the affected areas, they immediately proceeded to the village. Colonia said they first tried to negotiate with the MILF rebels but their leader, Commander Kagui Imbong, refused to heed to their calls since he has already carried out a plan to retaliate and attack a group of Ilonggo farmers at Barangay Estado, allegedly led by Barangay Estado chairman Ernesto Doong. Both warring groups are claiming that while they were harvesting corn they were fired at by their enemies which resulted to an exchange of fires. Both also claim they rightfully own the lands. Colonia said that around 8 a.m., on Saturday, Habib Guiabar of the MILF Local Monitoring Team informed him that a ceasefire was already pronounced by the MILF command in Barangay Estado. Yet, despite the local truce, evacuees have expressed fears to go back homes. Beverly Cruz, one of the evacuees, said they would rather chose to stay at the evacuation site, even if the place was so deplorable, than go back home and be caught in cross fires. We’ve lost our valuable things.The armed men took all our belongings, including our harvests.This is added misery to us, especially so that we’re experiencing El Nino”, said Cruz. At the evacuation site, Cruz said they only have tarpaulins as temporary shade and beddings since they failed to carry their clothes and other kitchen wares when they left their homes. She said the relief assistance they received from the local government unit, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, are not enough. Colonia has recommended that for the resolution of decades-old land conflict in Barangay Estado, rightful government agencies, particularly the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Agrarian Reform, should intervene for proper disposition and acquisition of the piece of agricultural land being contested by both Moro and Ilonggo farmers. Reports said that since the conflict started, no personnel from DENR and DAR has ever intervened to help settle the dispute.