Four people were killed and four others injured in an clash between two warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao province, the military reported on Thursday.The provincial military spokesman, Captain Toni Bulao, said the encounter which occurred in the town of Pagalungan, was sparked by intense political rivalry between the two MILF groups in the coming Oct.28 barangay (village) election.
He said although the clash occurred Wednesday, tensions remained high Thursday due to the presence of the MILF combatants, which forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes. As a result, Bulao expressed concern over whether the village election would proceed.
One faction involved in the clash was led by MILF Commander Muhammad Anday, the former head of the Association of Barangay Captains in Pagalungan. Anday who had run but lost for mayor of Pagalungan in the May 13 midterm polls, has a son seeking the post of village chairman in the Oct.28 nationwide election, five days away.
Wednesday's encounter was the third violent confrontation between the two warring MILF groups, the latest of which was last week.