NDRRMC: 1 killed, 937 families evacuated amid MNLF-MILF clash in Cotabato

At least one person was killed while 937 families from seven villages were evacuated in the wake of fighting between forces of the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Wednesday. In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the fighting broke out at 6:20 p.m. last Sunday in Barangay Marbel in Matalam town in Cotabato. The firefight was between the group of Toto Manial of the MNLF under Commander Datu Dima Ambel, and Kagui Mansor and Commander Marumsar of the MILF under Commander Alimoden Omar of the 5th Brigade. Both sides engaged in a dialogue on May 7 at the encounter site with Matalam police. Datu Jabar Jabeb represented the MILF and Datu Dima Ambel represented the MNLF. Killed in the fighting was one Makadatu Naga, but the NDRRMC did not give further details. Investigation showed Manial's group allegedly fired at the house of Mansor in Barangay Marbel, using an M-79 grenade launcher. The attack triggered panic among residents. But MILF troops in the area reportedly retaliated with "high-powered assorted firearms." Meanwhile, 937 families or 4,685 people from seven villages – Kibia, Kibudoc, Kidama, Marbel, Poblacion, Salvacion, and Ilian – were evacuated from their homes. The MILF said the police and military had secured the area and is closely monitoring events there. — LBG, GMA News