Warring clans clash in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 20): Warring clans clash in Maguindanao

Two warring Muslim clans in Datu Piang, Maguindanao clashed Wednesday by trading bullets that alarmed residents, the military here said. Colonel Prudencio Asto, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said followers of Commander Quiapo and Guiapal Abubakar clashed at about 5 a.m. in Sitio Tanguapo, Barangay Dumablas, Datu Piang, Maguindanao. He said the family feud stemmed from land dispute involving vast track of agricultural land. Asto said the followers of Commander Quiapo of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement allegedly shot dead Kagi Yasser last December 17. Abubakar would like avenged the death of Yasser, one of his followers, and attacked the location of Commander Quiapo in Barangay Tanguapo. Asto said an unidentified civilian was wounded during the 10-minute exchange of gunfire. "Nobody among the residents have evacuated because the military and the police immediately came into the picture to prevent the conflict from escalating," Asto told reporters.

Acting Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), meanwhile, reported that seven warring clans in Northern Maguindanao, also known as Iranon municipalities have come to an agreement with the help of the military and the local government unit. Hataman said the reconciliation of warring families was realized with the intervention of the Regional Reconciliation Commission of the ARMM. He also cited the help contributed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). "I expect more settled family dispute in Maguindanao and in the ARMM before next year's election to help prevent violence during the balloting," Hataman said.  "Rido" or family feud is a prevalent problem affecting peace and security in the region. "We believe in dialogue as a means to resolve conflict and misunderstanding," Hataman said, adding that he has proposed an increased budget for the Regional Reconciliation Commission so it can effectively settle dispute.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=481450