Rebels claim paramilitary forces are burning down civilian houses

Mindanao: More Muslim residents were affected by government and rebel clashes in the south, said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) whose 1,500 renegade members were recently driven out of 15 villages that they took over in North Cotabato.

Citizen Auxiliary Forces Geographical Units and Civilian Volunteers Organisations, both paramilitary units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, razed to the ground more than a dozen houses of Muslim civilians in Bangsamoro, North Cotabato, said Luwaran, an MILF website.

"The crime of arson against civilian houses and properties are being committed with semblance impunity by government law enforcers," said Luwaran.

"Badly affected by the burning spree were Dungguan and Langayen villages in Aleosan town in North Cotabato province where majority are Muslim residents," Luwaran explained.

The MILF called on the Joint Ceasefire Committee and Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team to immediately conduct a fact-finding inquiry. It also called on the Commission on Human Rights.