MILF factions clash on first day of Ramadan, displace hundreds

Gunfights between two rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front factions disrupted the first day of Ramadan in Barangay Macabual, Tugunan, Cotabato.

The clashes, led by factions under Atang Abdulkarim and Tutah Abdullah, began late Saturday, March 1, and forced hundreds of villagers to evacuate.

The violence started when one faction opened fire on residents emerging from a mosque after nighttime prayers, resulting in the deaths of Peli M. Abdulkarim and Nhords L. Samama.

Subsequent exchanges of gunfire on Sunday forced villagers to flee for safety, disrupting their observance of the holy month of Ramadan.

BARMM chief minister Ahod B. Ebrahim has dispatched emissaries to mediate the conflict and reposition the feuding groups.