A commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was killed and two of his sons critically wounded in a gunfight Wednesday afternoon in Ganta village, Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, Maguindanao del Sur.
Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR), said that those involved in the firefight were the Buisan family, reportedly backed by the MILF Task Force Itihad, and the family of Kagi Fahad Sapal, who were said to be supported by the MILF 105th Base Command.
A police report identified the fatality as a certain Commander Bandao of the 105th Base Command.
His two sons sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at a local hospital, the police report added.
Police said the gun battle stemmed from a personal dispute between the two MILF-affiliated groups.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation to prevent possible retaliation and further escalation of the conflict