Land Dispute in Maguindanao Del Sur Kills 21

A violent clash between armed groups in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, has resulted in at least 21 fatalities, primarily from a long-standing land dispute between two factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The fighting erupted on Wednesday, with gunfire erupting as military personnel withdrew from the area after escorting one group claiming legal ownership of the contested land. Reports indicate that relatives of Engineer Datu Alonto Sultan, who claims the land, clashed with armed men led by Ikot Dandua, also known as Commander Bawsi, who asserts ancestral rights to the land. The conflict has forced around 30 families to flee their homes, and while a truce has been established, tensions remain high. The MILF, which had previously signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government in 2014, has seen thousands of its combatants awaiting amnesty and support while internal disputes continue to result in violence. Local officials are urging both factions to resolve their issues through mediation rather than armed conflict.