CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao (PNA) – A long-standing family feud involving Moro rebels and local politicians turned ugly Monday night when the guerrillas torched an entire Maguindanao village, forcing some 100 families to flee.

Brandishing high-powered firearms, the rebels allegedly belonging to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) 105th base command set on fire at 10 p.m. some 100 houses in Barangay Barurao, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao.

“We were surprised to see rebels entering our houses and burning them,” said Ana Sampao, 40, a mother of four who fled with other villagers toward the town center shortly before midnight Monday.

“We lost our valuables, we only saved our lives. Our work animals and clothes are all gone,” she said as she lined up for emergency relief assistance extended by the town's social welfare office.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Hao, 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division spokesperson, said some 300 MILF guerrillas, led by sub-commanders Zainh Felmin and his brother Mestro, arrived in the village of Barurao at 10 p.m, fired at several houses to force civilians to come out, and then set the houses on fire.

Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Hao said the rebels had a long-standing land dispute and rido (family feud) with Uka Badal, former vice mayor of Sultan sa Barongis.

“All the victims who lost their homes were relatives and supporters of vice mayor Badal,” Hao said.

Hao said he was shocked to learn that the rebels torched the houses of civilians they promised to protect and fight for.

"Civilians should be spared, they should not be harmed, or their properties destroyed,” Hao said, adding that the military is contemplating on filing charges against the MILF before the GRP-MILF peace panel.

Close to 100 families are now housed in various evacuation centers and barangay centers in Poblacion Sultan sa Barongis awaiting relief assistance from the government.

Last month, close to 20,000 civilians were displaced as a result of skirmishes involving the MILF’s 105th base command and armed followers of Vice Mayor Badal.

Hao said the Army's 45th Infantry Battalion has sent a peacekeeping force in Sultan sa Barongis to secure the displaced families.