2 dead in Lanao Sur armed hostilities due to ‘rido’

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 24, 2024): 2 dead in Lanao Sur armed hostilities due to ‘rido’ (By Edwin Fernandez)

PEACEKEEPING FORCE. An armored personnel carrier from the Police Special Action Force rushes to Malabang, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday morning (Sept. 24, 2024) after armed hostilities involving warring Moro families. Two individuals were killed, and four others were injured in the skirmishes. (Photo courtesy of Layca Bayno Sultan)

MALABANG, Lanao del Sur – Two individuals were killed and four others were injured in an armed clash between Moro families involved in a “rido” (family feud) in the Poblacion area of Malabang in Lanao del Sur province on Tuesday morning.

Maj. Ivan John Bakian, chief of the Malabang municipal police station, identified the deceased only by their aliases “Fajad” and “Nodin.”

According to Maj. Salahuddin Basher, provincial police spokesperson, law enforcement, supported by military forces, was deployed to the town to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The hostilities erupted early Tuesday between two prominent clans, just a week after a peaceful settlement was reached with the assistance of the local government of Malabang and Lanao del Sur’s provincial government.

The encounter took place in Barangay Bacayawan and Lati, both residential areas in the coastal town of Malabang.

Basher identified the injured individuals as Ansary Didik, 60, and Hamdanie Ibrahim, 42, both from Barangay Bacayawan, and Esmail Abdul, 53, and Jemar Abdul, 22, both from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. They are currently receiving medical treatment at the Dr. Serapio Montañer Hospital.

The conflict arose a week before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2025 local elections.

Due to intense political rivalries, Malabang was under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last year, as well as during the local and national elections in 2022.

Bakian noted that operations are ongoing to clear the battle area of unexploded ordnance, including M79 grenades and 40mm rifle grenades.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1234099