By Edwin Fernandez

APPEASEMENT EFFORTS. Col. Sultan Salman Sapal (right, in black police cap), Maguindanao del Sur police director, speaks with officials of Barangay Linantangan, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday (March 5, 2026). The atrocities, which began on Tuesday (March 4), diminished after the intervention of the military, police, and local leaders. (Photo from Maguindanao PPO)

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur – Four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were wounded during a series of clashes between two factions in Shariff Saydona Mustapha town in this province, the military here reported Thursday.

Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the sporadic skirmishes triggered by rido (family feud) began three days ago and slowed down on Thursday afternoon.

Suscano identified the groups involved in the conflict as those of MILF 118th Base Command Brigade Commander Kagi Gani Adam and 128th Base Command Field Commander Saydonin Kairo.

The conflict that erupted in the village of Linantangan also sent thousands of civilians fleeing to safer grounds.

Suscano said both sides had two injured members each.

Local leaders and MILF ceasefire panels have intervened and separated the warring clans.

Col. Sultan Salman Sapal, the Maguindanao del Sur police provincial director, visited the village of Linantangan to help ease tensions.

He also met with barangay officials to ensure civilians affected by the conflict are safe. (PNA)