MILF, DI clash leaves 2 dead

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte — At least two individuals believed to be members of the Dawlah Islamiya were killed after a fierce firefight erupted between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the outlawed DI in Datu Hoffer Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur province on Monday.

The Philippine Army's 601st Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog revealed that the clashes between MILF commander Saga Malandag of 118th base command, and the DI Group under commander Abdulnasser Guianid occurred in the outskirts of Barangay Mother Tuayan.

"The fighting erupted at about 5 a.m. in the mountains of Datu Hoffer and lasted for about an hour," Pangcog said in a radio interview Tuesday.

He added that it took several hours for government forces to reach the clash site.

"When our troops arrived at the clash site in the afternoon, they found two dead bodies of DI armed men," said Pangcog, adding that a long-standing "rido" or family feud between Guianid and Malandag triggered the skirmishes.

No civilian casualties were reported as the clash site was far from surrounding communities.

A team of soldiers backed by armored personnel carriers were deployed in Barangay Tuayan to prevent the escalation of hostilities.

Pangcog said the Army and the MILF expect retaliation from the DI group that may come anytime.

"We are ready, we are on alert," Pangcog said.