Death toll in Sulu clashes reaches 12

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Supporters of two political clans in a Sulu town continued trading mortar fire until late Sunday night, bringing the death toll to 12 and those wounded to at least 15, military authorities said.

But Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias, spokesman of the Armed Forces' Southern Command, said the situation in Panguratan town normalized yesterday as government troops arrived to prevent hostilities from further escalating.

Tension arose last Saturday when followers of slain Pangutaran mayor Abdul Sanoh stormed the municipal hall to prevent Vice Mayor Muchapun Hadani from taking over as mayor.

Hadani's husband, former mayor Ibrahim Hadani, led his supporters in attacking the rival camp. The initial hostilities left at least 10 people dead -- nine of Hadani's and one of Sanoh's followers.