13 dies over land dispute clash among MILF groups in Maguindanao Sur

By Sam Ramos

At least 13 people were killed in a violent clash between two Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) factions over a land dispute in Barangay Kilangan, Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur on Wednesday, according to the military.

Lt. Col. Roden Orbon, spokesperson for the 6th Infantry Division, confirmed on Thursday that members of the MILF’s 105th and 129th base commands engaged in a firefight that led to 11 casualties and three wounded from the 105th command, with two fatalities and two injuries reported on the opposing side.

The clash reportedly began around 1 p.m. and lasted for several hours. It involved the faction led by Engr. Datu Alonto Sultan of the 105th base command and commanders Ikot Dandua and Bawsi of the 129th base command. The altercation, rooted in a long-standing land dispute, was sparked by opposing claims: Sultan claimed to hold legal ownership backed by a land title, while the other faction argued the land was inherited from their ancestors.

A relative of Sultan, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that their group had been accompanied by the military earlier in the day to survey the disputed land. Following the departure of the military, Sultan’s group was allegedly surrounded and attacked by the opposing faction. The source added that the military had cautioned them about the nearby presence of the rival group.

Authorities, including the military and Pagalungan municipal police, have been deployed to conduct clearing operations and maintain peace. Major Zukarnain Kunakon, police chief of Pagalungan, confirmed ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict and assist residents displaced by the violence.

This incident highlights broader issues in the Bangsamoro region, where unresolved land disputes have been a source of recurrent conflict. A 2022 report by International Alert Philippines, “Conflict’s Long Game: A Decade of Violence in the Bangsamoro,” documented hundreds of land-related disputes displacing thousands across the region between 2011 and 2020. The report emphasizes that violence often escalates in such conflicts, especially when weapons are involved, leading to clan feuds and revenge killings.

According to the report, unclear property boundaries, lack of ownership documentation, conflicting claims, informal land transfers, and overlapping land tenure issued by various government agencies contribute to these disputes. Authorities are urging the MILF and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities to mediate and seek a peaceful resolution in this latest incident.

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