Manila: Fighters of the largest Muslim rebel
group in the Philippines have clashed with a breakaway faction
in fierce fighting that killed four combatants and wounded
five others.
Rebel spokesman Von Al Haq of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front says its men were ambushed yesterday by followers of
radical commander Ameril Umbra Kato, who broke away from the
main group over its peace talks with the Philippine
government.
Al Haq today said that two combatants from each side were
killed in the five-hour gunbattle in Datu Piang township in
southern Maguindanao province and that five others were
wounded.
Philippine officials have expressed concern over the rebel
infighting. They say it could affect ongoing peace talks
brokered by Malaysia if it spirals out of control.
PTI
