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North Cotabato evacuees refuse to return home


KIDAPAWAN CITY – A week after the armed fighting between warring Moro groups erupted anew in North Cotabato, the displaced families have refused to go back home for fear they might again be caught in the crossfires. Pandita Macalimbol, one of the evacuees, said armed men from both warring groups, are still seen in Barangay Salat, President Roxas, North Cotabato. Macalimbol said there has been no assurance they could return home safely. He also said armed men have burned their houses and farm products. At least 37 families from Barangay Salat are housed temporarily in makeshift houses near the barangay hall of Barangay Kisupaan. “We have no water here. No electricity. Life here is very difficult. But living in a troubled village is a lot difficult for all of us," said Macalimbol. On August 25, Macalimbol and many other villagers evacuated to Barangay Kisupaan when armed men reportedly led by Daud Macaalay, former councilor of Barangay Salat, attacked the village, torched the houses, and burned the farmers’ produce. Macaalay, according to police reports, is a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Macaalay is allegedly at odds with Barangay Salat chairman Magalona Ampatuan, who, is reportedly a commander of the mainstream Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Ampatuan’s younger brother, Manny, also a commander of the MNLF, was allegedly killed by the group of Commander Macaalay, reports said. One of Ampatuan’s men, identified as Dagul Agmas, was wounded during the attack. The fighting in Barangay Salat, according to local officials, is caused by land conflict, cattle rustling, and theft of rubber cup lumps and other farm products. On August 30, Cotabato 2nd district Representative Nancy Catamco, together with Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza and members of the provincial board, distributed relief items to hundreds of evacuees in Barangay Kisupaan. –VVP, GMANews.TV

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