6 dead in Mindanao clan war

From the Mindanao Examiner (Jan 6): 6 dead in Mindanao clan war

At least 6 people were killed in fighting between warring families in southern Philippines, police said on Saturday.

Armed members of warring Dipatuan and Amanodin families clashed late Friday afternoon in Lanao del Sur’s Bacolod Kalawi town that left at least 4 people dead. It was unknown if there were more casualties on both sides, but police said those slain in the fighting were all from the group of Amonodin family.

The clashes stemmed from an old land and political feud. But it was unclear how the warring clan members managed to pass through military and police checkpoints in the town or whether authorities were unaware or failed in their intelligence gathering that could have prevented the deadly fighting that erupted in Gandamato village.

The military’s Western Mindanao Command and the army’s 6th Infantry Division did not release any information of the clashes.

Two people were also killed in similar fighting in Tacurong City on Friday after gunmen attacked two houses and shot dead one of the occupants. One of the attackers was also slain in the fighting that police claimed was connected to a long running feud between two families.

Clan war or locally known as “rido” is not uncommon in the restive region, especially in Muslim areas where honor, pride and dignity is valued as more important than one’s life. Police were investigating both clashes.

http://mindanaoexaminer.com/6-dead-in-mindanao-clan-war/