A Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander accused the Philippine military of joining forces with the Moro National Liberation Front in a gun battle at Matalam, North Cotabato that killed several MILF troops.MILF commander Hadji Ali Mansur said he and his relatives were attacked early in the morning of May 16 by MNLF guerillas led by Datu Dimam Ambil.
In a statement on the MILF website, Mansur said his group were able to repel the MNLF troops in the morning, but they were surprised by seeing Philippine Army troopers joining another attack in the afternoon.
Mansur said, “The military attacked us from the back which we did not expect,” claiming that the participation of members of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade in the attack was a violation of the government’s agreement with the MILF.
He said, “The army troops were supposed to be a neutral buffer force and should have halted the assault and the burning of houses by forces of Datu Dima."
Mansur also said, “We will file our protest on this military-backed MNLF attack and the necessary charges for the burning of our houses."
But the military denied his claim and dared the MILF leader to pursue his complaint. Army spokesman Maj. Randolf Cabangbang said, “It would be best for the MILF to file their protest to determine the veracity of their claim, but we clearly state that we operate independently. It is impossible that they will operate together with the MNLF.”