Showdown between 2 feudal MILF groups continue 

MAGUINDANAO  --- The military today warned to disengage using force two feudal Moro groups whose recurring clashes since early this week have dislocated no fewer than a thousand villagers.

Each side, one led by Butuh and the other by Balaumol, have reportedly lost two members in the hostilities, triggered by longtime squabbles for control of patches of lands in Barangay Dungguan in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao.

The guerilla commanders Butuh and Balaumol are both members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, according to local officials and barangay leaders in Datu Montawal.

The Army’s 6^th Infantry Division and the Regional Police Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have separately urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to convince the warring groups to move out to pave the way for the return of evacuees to conflict stricken villages.

Major Gen. Diosado Carreon of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division said Wednesday the 602nd Brigade is now trying to separate the two groups to prevent the displacement of more innocent villagers.

Classes in at least four schools in Barangay Dungguan and nearby areas in Pagalungan town in Maguindanao have been suspended since early this week as a result of the hostilities.

Personnel of the Army’s 7^th Infanty Battalion and the Bangsamoro police have since been guarding against the possible spillover of the conflict to other barangays.

The 602^nd said it will use force against the two enemy groups if their leaders will not heed appeals by local officials for a truce.