Military and police forces have been deployed in far flung
villages of a Maguindanao town following clashes involving followers of two
candidates for mayor.
Senior Inspector Blayn Lumase, chief of Pagalungan police
office, said police, backed by Army's 7th Infantry Battalion have been deployed
in several villages of Pagalungan following sporadic skirmishes involving
followers of mayoral candidate Guimid "Jimmy" Matalam and
reelectionist Mayor Salik Mamasabulod.
Lumase said the death of a certain Reniedo Guialil, a local
leader of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) worsened the
family feud involving former allies.
Based on police investigation, Guialil was allegedly killed
by Jojo Matalam after the latter refused to obey orders from the former. Both
belonged to one private armed group operating in interior villages of
Pagalungan, Maguindanao.
According to Lumase, the government forces deployed in at
least three adjoining villages were to act as "peacekeepers" to
ensure the safety of civilians.
At least 50 families have fled to nearby communities for
fear of getting caught in the crossfire as both sides vowed to "finish
off" each other.
Residents claimed that several houses left by owners were
torched by armed men.
On Friday morning, residents said they heard several
gunshots emanating from the village
of Damalasak
Lumase said some residents moved to the town center while
others stayed in their relatives homes in adjacent villages.
"We initially found it has something to do with the
election," Lumase told reporters.
Police said Guialil is a relative of Mamasabulod while the
suspect, Jojo Matalam, is a relative of mayoral candidate Guimid Matalam. At
least 10 from each clan are running for other local posts in Pagalungan.
Meanwhile, the local government of Pagalungan has started
relief operations to affected families.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=880775
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