1 dies, another hurt as warring clans clash in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN
CITY (Sept. 29) -- A farmer was killed while another was wounded when armed men
clashed anew in a remote village of Matalam, North Cotabato, officials said today.Erikson
Jaylon, village chair of Malamote, said tension now prevailed in Malamote and
nearby communities after armed men who were farmers and believed to be members
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clashed anew Sunday.

Jaylon
told Radyo Bida Kidapawan farmers in Barangay Malamote went to Sitio Hinigaran,
also part of Lower Malamote, to check on their farm when gun men from across
the creek in Barangay Cuyapon, Kabacan, fired at them.

Jaylon
said the gunmen belonged to the MILF under Commander Unson Baliwan.

Lt.
Colonel Audie Edralin, 7th Infantry Battalion chief, said farmers
from Lower Malamote sought clearance for Army unit stationed in the village to
allow them to visit their farm.

Soldiers
and para military units in the village had been on alert following the
September 23 harassment by suspected Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
(BIFF).

Killed
in the skirmishes Sunday was Willie Penirepe of Barangay Lower Malamote,
Matalam while Jay-ar Maganaka of Barangay Lower Paatan was wounded when warring
groups fired at them.

Edralin
said his unit is coordinating with the GPH-MILF joint monitoring committee to
find means that would prevent similar incident in the future.

The
military said land dispute triggered the sporadic and on and off skirmishes
between warring clans in the borders of Matalam and Kabacan, both in North
Cotabato. (NE)