By MARTIN A. SADONGDONG
One person was killed while four others were wounded in an encounter between decommissioned and active members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Monday.
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the clash occurred between the groups of a certain Salik Kiko, a delisted member of the 118th Base Command of the MILF; and Ben Tikaw, a member of the 105th Base Command.
The firefight in Barangay Tukanalipao lasted for six hours.
A certain “Alimudin,” who was allied to Kiko’s group, was killed in the encounter while three of his comrades were wounded.
An unidentified Islamic militant belonging to the group of Tikaw was also wounded.
Vinluan said soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) were deployed to the area to determine the reason behind the firefight.
Local police were also sent to prevent a spillover of the fight to other populated villages in Mamasapano.
“We also established checkpoints along provincial roads,” Vinluan said.
