Tensions Rise in Maguindanao del Sur Town After MILF Leader Slain
COTABATO CITY — Tensions rise in Maguindanao del Sur town after a top Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander was fatally shot while eating breakfast at a roadside eatery in Panadtaban village. The incident occurred Monday morning, shaking the community and raising concerns about local security.
The killing took place around 10 a.m., coinciding with a meeting between the Army’s 6th Infantry Division and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials. They were holding talks with 24 mayors from Maguindanao del Sur to find solutions for ongoing clan conflicts, locally known as “rido,” affecting various communities.
MILF Commander Killed in Daylight Attack
Commander Buntok Utap of the MILF’s 106th Base Command was targeted by unknown assailants riding a motorcycle. According to local police, Utap was dining at a bakery near Dansalan Elementary School when the gunmen approached and opened fire. Utap, a resident of Barangay Panadtaban, died instantly from a gunshot to the head and multiple other wounds.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack. Sources noted that no suspects have been identified yet, and the police continue to gather clues.
Peace Efforts Amid Rising Violence
Only months before his death, Utap had signed a peace agreement with another MILF leader, Norudin Utto, also from Barangay Panadtaban. On July 10, the two leaders agreed to end hostilities in a “rido” settlement facilitated by the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade at the 33rd Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Zapakan, Rajah Buayan.
The peace deal, initiated by Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, aimed to prevent further armed clashes between their factions. Despite this effort, the recent killing shows the fragile nature of peace in the area.
Attempts to reach Utto for comment were unsuccessful, local sources said.
Addressing Clan Wars in Maguindanao del Sur
The timing of the killing casts a shadow over ongoing peace talks involving military and local government officials. The meeting with the 24 town mayors was focused on finding lasting solutions to the persistent clan disputes that plague many communities in Maguindanao del Sur.
Local leaders are calling for intensified efforts to resolve these conflicts peacefully, emphasizing the need for cooperation among all parties involved. The recent violence underscores the urgency to strengthen security measures and reinforce peacebuilding initiatives in the region.
For more news and updates on tensions rise in Maguindanao del Sur town, visit Filipinokami.com.
