BASILAN (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 19, 2013) – Four people were wounded in a clash between two warring Muslim clans in the southern Philippine province of Basilan, an army spokesman said.
The fighting broke out in the village of Bohe Lebong in Tipo-Tipo town and lasted over one hour, according to Captain Jefferson Somera, of the 1st Infantry Division.
He said the clashes between the groups of village councilman Ustadz Haider Haya and Saham Mohammad triggered panic among civilians in the area. “We have deployed troops in the town to prevent the escalation of hostilities. This is a family feud,” he told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The wounded villagers were identified as Tutuna Kadapi, Kamal Mohammad, Norhada Kadil and Iyob Isnain. It was not immediately known whether the wounded were part of the warring clans or not.
General Felicito Trinidad, the regional army commander, warned warring clans to stop the fighting or face arrest.
Somera said troops remain in the town on Thursday as part of a security aimed at protecting innocent civilians. “Troops will remain in the area and are closely working with local police forces to protect the villagers from harm,” he said.
Clan war is not uncommon in the southern Philippines and in July, at least 12 people were killed and wounded in fierce clashes between two warring Muslim families in Lanao del Sur province.
The protagonists – Capal and Macugar families – incidentally crossed path in the village of Linao in Bayang town and started shooting at each other. The fighting lasted almost an hour leaving 4 people dead and two wounded on the side of Capal family and 3 more slain and three others wounded on Macugar family.
The clashes only stopped after security forces arrived and pacified the two warring groups. Troops helped recovered the dead and turned them over to their families. It was not immediately known whether the military or police arrested any of the leaders or followers of the two warring families. But among those killed were Hajji Naim Capal and Latip Capal, who were reportedly clan leaders.
The military said the families are locked in a bitter political feud in the town. (Mindanao Examiner)
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