October 27, 2009, GMA News, 2:29 PM, Marines sent in to stop fighting in Tawi-Tawi,

October 27, 2009, GMA News, 2:29 PM, Marines sent in to stop fighting in Tawi-Tawi, 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military's Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has sent troops to stop the fighting between two armed political factions in the province of Tawi-Tawi, a military official said Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mohammad Dolorfino, Westmincom chief, said heavy fighting first erupted on Monday on the island of Bacungan, which forms part of the Turtle Island municipality in Tawi-Tawi.

Dolorfino said there have been no report so far on casualties from the two groups, which are led by Turtle Island Mayor Omar Aripin on one side and Hadji Amiril and a certain Jabal, a retired policeman, on the other.

Another firefight took place Tuesday morning shortly before a contingent from the Philippine Marines landed on Bacungan, Dolorfino said.

He said fighting resumed on Tuesday when reinforcements from mainland Tawi-Tawi joined the group of Amiril and Jabal. The group is allegedly backed by another politician, whom Dolorfino did not identify.

Troops are under orders to protect non-combatants from getting caught in the crossfire and to remain on the island to maintain law and order until further notice, he said. - GMANews.TV