Fighting erupts between two Muslim rebel groups in S. Philippines

Heavy fighting involving a main Moro rebel group and its breakaway group erupted late Thursday in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato, forcing thousands of civilians to evacuate, a military official said.

Joan Petinglay, 6th Division spokesperson, said by phone Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Jack Abas, who is the head of the rebels 108th, 109th and 110th Base Commands, are currently engaged in gun battle in a village of Pikit town against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)who were figured in the Jan. 25 clashes with members of Philippine National Police Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which left 44 police commandos dead.

Petinglay said the fighting started around 5:50 p.m.

"The fighting is going on now. Residents are evacuating," the military official said.

Earlier, civilians were frightened by the presence of MILF and BIFF in the village.

Petinglay said the two groups have been seen in the area since Tuesday, forcing civilians to flee and seek refuge in nearby villages.

"We have soldiers in the area to ensure the safety of civilians, " she said. "The MILF has prior coordination with our troops in the area as well with the ceasefire committee that they will conduct peace dialogues."

The incident in Pikit occurred a week after 44 members of elite Philippine National Police Special Action Force were killed during an intense firefight with combined forces of MILF and BIFF in the town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The police were on a mission on Jan. 25 to terminate Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Marwan, but were attacked by MILF's 105th Base Command while they were pulling out from the scene.

At least 18 rebels and four civilians were also killed in the near eight-hour gun battle.