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
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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