6 killed in South Cotabato tribal war

KORONADAL CITY – At least six persons were reportedly killed in tribal war in a remote village in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, a town mayor said.

Lake Sebu Mayor Basilio Salif said based on reports relayed to him, six people were killed in a continuing tribal war between Muslim and Uga Tubo tribes in Barangay Ned, one of the town’s far-flung barangays and could be reached only after several hours of travel.

Basilio did not tell who the latest victims were and what tribe they belong.

But he said the reported killings there were triggered by a land conflict between the two tribes.

Two weeks ago, two rebel returnees were killed and another one was seriously injured after unidentified armed-men ambushed them while on their way home in Barangay Ned.

Police investigators there said the motive behind the shooting of the three rebel returnees was land conflict.

In a Bombo Radyo interview here, Salif appealed to the two warring tribes to stop shooting and killing each other because he said, “problem could not be solved by guns but by talking to each other.”

Salif said tourism activities in his town were badly affected by the conflict of the two warring tribes in Ned, a barangay that hosts the multi-million investments of some domestic and foreign investors.

Lake Sebu town is one of the tourist destinations of South Cotabato province because of its famous “Seven Falls,” “native and mouth-watering tilapyas” and hotel cottages built atop lake waters. – Ramil Bajo