On May 5, the Army killed at least six Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters in Maguindanao during fierce fighting that began over a week ago, when security forces started pursuing local MILF leaders. North Cotabato Vice-Governor Emmanuel Piñol’s banana plantation was attacked by over 200 MILF fighters, who killed three civilians and wounded five. An Army official suggested the attack on the plantation was a diversion to draw attention away from the fighting in Maguindanao.
