Some 600 residents from two of the remotest barangays in Matalam, North Cotabato have fled their homes after Moro rebels, believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), clashed with armed farmers who are members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team.
According to SecurityMatters sources, Chief Insp. Elias Colonia, Matalam police chief, said the clash happened at Purok-4 in Barangay Estado, Matalam, between Ilonggo farmers from the same village and MILF members under Kagui Mansur Imbong, deputy brigade commander of the 5th Brigade under the 108th base command, around 9:30 a.m. last March 20.
Wounded during the firefight were Herman Marcos Berto, 39, of Midsayap, Cotabato; Antonio Banoc Degamo, member of CAFGU under 52nd North Cotabato Civilian Active Auxiliary Company of the Bravo Company of the 38th Infantry Battalion; and Robin Daruca Pajes of Barangay Estado, Matalam.
Pajes sustained severe injuries and was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City for further treatment.
Colonia said peacekeepers were deployed to the area to pacify the two warring factions and prevent tension from escalating. But, MILF leader Imbong refused to cooperate as his team has already planned retaliatory attacks against the Ilonggo farmers.
According to Estado barangay chairman Ernesto Doong, the MILF fired at the farmers as they were harvesting corn. Imbong refuted Doong’s claim, saying the farmers were the ones who fired at his men as they were passing by the cornfields.
Colonia said a truce has already been in effect as Habib Guiabar of the MILF Local Monitoring Team informed him that a ceasefire was already pronounced by the MILF command in Barangay Estado since 8 a.m. on Saturday.
Despite this, residents remain adamant to go back to their homes as they fear for their safety.
