Fighting breaks out between rival bandit groups in Pikit

A 20-minute firefight disrupted the peace in a village in Pikit town in North Cotabato province shortly before midnight Saturday, with both sides using high-caliber weapons. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Sunday night that the incident took place at 11:30 p.m. of June 30 in Balungis village. No casualty was immediately reported. In a statement on its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF initially thought its members were being attacked, but verified that the participants in the shootout were remnants of “bandit" leader Pakil Ayunan. Ayunan was killed in a family grudge more than two months ago. The Ayunan group was linked to the abduction of German Thomas Wallraf, 44, and wife Sharon Jackson, together with their two Filipino companions Diego Daniel San Juan and Consuelo San Juan last May 31. Thomas and his companions came from Davao City and on their way to Midsayap town to meet two unidentified persons to discuss some treasure hunting activities. MILF fighters led by Commander Mauti of the MILF National Guard Division were responsible for the rescue of the German and his companions from the kidnappers last June 1. Mauti and his men immediately turned over the rescued persons to the MILF Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), which in turn turned them over to their counterpart in the government through the International Monitoring Team (IMT). - GMANews.TV