Sunday, December 27, 2015

Moro clan war send civilians fleeing in N. Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 28): Moro clan war send civilians fleeing in N. Cotabato

A long standing clan war involving Moro families in interior villages here erupted over the weekend and sent more than 200 families fleeing to safer grounds on Saturday and Sunday, police said Monday.

Supt. Gilbert Tuzon, Midsayap town police chief, said involved in the clan war, more known in the community as "rido," were the families of Kumander Timbulilong and Kumander Fredi Mangansa. Both were affiliated with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

On Saturday evening and Sunday, the warring families traded shots in the village of Mudsing, Midsayap, about 10 kilometers away from the town center.

Although they were kilometers apart and no actual close combat, the sporadic exchange of gun fire has sent villagers, both Muslims and Christians to evacuate to safer grounds.

"This is a long standing family feud that involved land dispute and territorial control," Tuzon said.

The 4 p.m. clash on Sunday left two persons wounded but Tuzon said it was yet to be confirmed.

The exchange of gun fire ceased when Midsayap police personnel came over to mediate.

"We are coordinating with the military to ensure the conflict will not escalate," Tuzon said.

Midsayap Mayor Romeo Arania has directed the town's social welfare and development office to attend to the needs of the displaced families.

The situation has normalized, Tuzon said, but added many of the displaced civilians prefer to stay in nearby villages for fear of resumption of hostilities involving warring Muslim families.

The government and MILF peace panels have already sent emissaries to mediate and settle the conflict peacefully.

The atrocities came as outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have been harassing Christian communities in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and North Cotabato.

On Christmas Day, armed men killed a village councilman in Barangay Simsiman, Pigcawayan, North Cotabato which was 10 kilometers away from Midsayap.

The Army's 6th Infantry Division have been hunting down the lawless elements.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=841684

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