17 MILF members killed over land conflict – PNP

Metro Manila, Philippines — Seventeen members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed over a land ownership conflict, the Philippine National Police reported on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Stemming from a long standing dispute over a 45-hectare property, 16 MILF members raided a house in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur late Wednesday, Oct. 30.

“As of today ay okay na daw po, manageable na raw po ‘yung area. Naglagay na rin po ng checkpoint para hindi na raw po mag-escalate ‘yung tension du’n,” PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

[Translation: As of today, the situation in the area is okay, manageable. Checkpoints were also set up to prevent escalating tensions.]

The military and police are jointly manning the checkpoints.

The police said the wounded were brought to the hospital.

There were no civilian casualties, they said.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this report.