MANILA, Philippines, Aug 15, (AP): Two commanders from the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group have clashed in a dayslong land feud that has killed six combatants and displaced hundreds of villagers in the southern Philippines.
Von Al Haq, a spokesman for the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said Wednesday that one of the group’s commanders, Adzme Kasim, and a rival from a guerrilla faction have been clashing since the weekend, with dozens of their men exchanging gun and mortar fire in Datu Piang town.
The government’s chief negotiator, Marvic Leonen, has expressed concern over frequent infighting in the group, with which Manila has resumed peace talks.
Military spokesman Col Prudencio Asto says troops are standing by and could intervene if the fighting escalates.