Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Farmer killed, another hurt in Lanao Sur clan war

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 18): Farmer killed, another hurt in Lanao Sur clan war

Police and military forces have been deployed in a barangay in Malabang, Lanao del Sur after a missing animal triggered a clan war which left a Maranao villager dead and another wounded on Monday, police said Tuesday.

The armed conflict erupted when heavily armed members of the Montaner family, led by a certain Asraf Montaner and Lumna Bilao, raided the farm of Rakih Ali of the Ali clan, searching for a missing cow in Barangay Diamaru, Malabang town.

The Ali family considered the entry of Montaner's armed followers as a direct accusation that they were responsible for the missing animal.

A heated argument between the two group leading to gunfight. Killed in a shootout was Baksah Silongan, 32, who was hit by stray bullets. A certain Bomboyan Montaner, 28, was also wounded.

Police Inspector Romnick Lintangan, chief of the Malabang police, said even before the latest shooting incident, the Montaners and Ali clans have been at odds that developed into a "rido" (clan war).

Fighting erupted at about 4:00 a.m. and stopped about noon, police said. Insp. Lintangan said Ali has about 50 armed followers while Bilao had about 70 armed men when they clashed.

The conflict between the warring families started in 2004 as a result of cattle rustling.

Several members of families of the warring clans have fled to safer grounds as local government officials have started dialogues to settle the family feud.

Lintangan said police investigators are still determining whether the clans belonged to any Moro rebel organizations.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=535366

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