Army intervenes in family feud

COTABATO CITY – The Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade has put up detachments at the boundary of Tulunan and Mlang towns in North Cotabato following hostilities between feuding members of a clan.

The armed conflict between the two factions of the Mangkuk clan, which are squabbling for control of farmlands in two adjoining barangays, escalated over the weekend and forced dozens of Muslim families to flee their homes.

Although belonging to the same clan, the two groups, armed with assault rifles and shoulder-fired rockets, have been fighting each other for more than a decade now.

The two groups traded shots over the weekend, forcing villagers to flee to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Mlang Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol said land disputes at the Mlang-Tulunan boundary have been so serious that they want to study the real ownership of agricultural areas there.

Piñol said they have also been trying to reconcile feuding clans to defuse tension in the area.

Tulunan officials tried to inspect the contested lands last week, but retreated after armed men fired warning shots to drive them away.

Col. Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the 602nd IB, said soldiers have been fielded in the area to maintain peace and order and help local leaders reconcile the warring factions.