Tuesday, January 01, 2008 Truce monitor stops clashes in Datu Piang By Malu Cadelina Manar
KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, who are at odds with armed militiamen in Datu Piang, Maguindanao for four days since Sunday, repositioned themselves to prevent another sporadic clashes.
The repositioning was prodded by members of the joint Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities of the government and the MILF, including the local leaders in Maguindanao.
The ceasefire committee expressed fears the fighting could escalate to nearby towns in Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan if not resolved.
The warring groups agreed to move away from the clash site to pave the way for the return of more than 2,000 villagers forced to evacuate for fear they might get caught in the crossfire.
The Maguindanao Provincial Police said the hostilities in Datu Piang broke anew when MILF guerillas, led by Duma Anayatin, raided the areas occupied by militiamen led by Commander Kulnit.
The families of Anayatin and Kulnit have long been at odds over control of lands in several villages in Datu Piang.
The provincial social welfare office, according to Norie Unas, Maguindanao's provincial administrator, has already distributed relief goods to evacuees temporarily housed at the Poblacion in Datu Piang.
