2 hurt in clan war in North Cotabato, hundreds flee

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 9): 2 hurt in clan war in North Cotabato, hundreds flee

PIKIT, North Cotabato -- Police and military peacekeepers have been sent to a remote village here after clan war erupted Tuesday, leaving two persons wounded and hundreds of civilians fleeing, officials said.

The Army's 6th Infnatry Division and the North Cotabato police office have sent peacekeepers to prevent the group of Barangay Chairman Riduan Makatidtang of Bulol, Pikit, North Cotabato and Datu Simon, former village chair of Bulol, from getting close to each other.

Von Al Haq, speaking for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) military arm, said participants of the clan war were MILF members and supporters.

"Emissaries have been sent to separate the group," Al Haq said in a phone interview.

Reports said more than 350 families have fled their homes and sought refuge in nearby villages to avoid getting involved in the sporadic exchange of bullets of the warring families.

Involved in the clan war were the families of Makatidtang and followers of Simon. It was not clear who fired the first shot but residents, after hearing sporadic and rapid gun fire on Tuesday night, decided to abandon their homes and moved to safer grounds.

A local TV station reported that the conflict could be traced to an alleged ambush of Simon three months ago in Barangay Gli-gli, also in Pikit. In that ambush, Simon and his armed escort died.

Charges have been filed against the ambushers.

As first village councilor, Makatidtang assumed the chairmanship of Barangay Bulol which Simon's supporters do not like. They want someone else to head the village.

But Makatidtang insisted he was the lawful successor by operation of law. He told reporters he will remain as the new village chair unless removed by competent authority.

Tahira Kalatongan, municipal chair of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), identified the wounded civilians as Makampao Ayunan and Tinisan Ayunan.

An Army officer said both Makatidtang and Simon have relative followers in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front operating in the area.

He said the leadership of the MILF should intervene because the Army, in the meantime, will not interfere unless told so by the government and MILF ceasefire panel.

"There is mechanism of the GPH-MILF ceasefire, we can only serve as peacekeepers in keeping /with the agreement," the Army officer said, asking he will not be identified for lack of authority.

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