The firefight between two armed groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Tugunan town under the Special Geographic Area of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have forced several residents to leave their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

According to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), the group of Kundutoy, a member of the MILF-National Guard, engaged the group of Apang Abdulkarim of the MILF’s 118th Base Command in an exchange of fire.

Authorities said the group of Abdulkarim may have retaliated after their commander was allegedly shot by Kundutoy’s group on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The tension and the armed encounter have subsided, as of this writing.

Authorities are also monitoring if there are casualties following the incident.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to MILF for a statement, as of this writing.

Police area also investigating the incident.

“Sa ngayon, patuloy pa nating inaalam, andoon ang ating government troops, magkasama ang ating PNP/AFP at mga local government officials to address the situation,” Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) Spokespesron, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, said.