3 killed in heavy fighting in Maguindanao

Three people were killed Friday in an encounter involving warring families in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao. The clash involved families of a civilian volunteer organization (CVO) member and of a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel belonging to the group's 105th Base Command, authorities said. "May isang taga-105th na yung tatay at kapatid ay pinatay. Tapos nung makita iyong suspect [na CVO] ay napatay din," said Mohaguer Iqbal, head of the MILF panel talking peace with the government. He said the clash started about 4 p.m. Friday in Kulambog village in Sultan sa Barongis and ended on the wee hours of Saturday. Several villagers fled the area as some houses were burned down during the hostilities. Senior Superintendent Alex Lineses, Maguindanao provincial police director, said their forces were unable to enter the village because it was a known MILF stronghold. "We are just observing, kasi territory nila iyon. Tapos may ceasefire tayo with them kaya observe lang tayo [It's an MILF territory. Also, we are observing a ceasefire with the rebel group]," Lineses said. Meanwhile, a separate encounter erupted in Sitio Baag, Barangay Gioung in Sumisip town in Basilan, this time between MILF rebels and government troops. In a statement posted on its website, the MILF claimed it did not suffer any casualty. "The Marines entered the said village without coordination and in full battle gear and they started firing at MILF forces who were already ready to fight, after they received report that the Marines were in the vicinity several hours earlier," the MILF said. The MILF forces were under Hj Amil Mingkong, a veteran fighter since the early 1980s. - Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK, GMANews.TV