2 killed in North Cotabato clan feud

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao, Philippines  – Heavily armed tribesmen killed two members of a rival clan in President Roxas town in North Cotabato Saturday, military officials said.

Col. Prudencio Asto, public affairs chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the gunmen, led by a certain Lapating, were from a tribal village in nearby Bukidnon province.

Lapating and his companions reportedly arrived at Sitio Tarinan, Barangay Sarayan in President Roxas municipality at about 8 a.m.

Without any provocation, the suspects went on a shooting rampage, killing two villagers on the spot.

The gunmen immediately retreated towards the border of Bukidnon and North Cotabato when armed members of the tribal clan they attacked returned fire and engaged them in a running firefight.

Asto said intelligence operatives from the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion are coordinating with the local police in investigating the incident.

Reports said the two tribal factions were fighting over the control of lands in the mountain ranges of Bukidnon and North Cotabato.

‘Clash not related to peace deal’

Meanwhile, the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines yesterday said the latest clash between some of its fighters and a breakaway faction was sparked by a clan feud and not related to the recently signed peace agreement.

Dozens of gunmen from the main Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the breakaway Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM) clashed Thursday in a village in Mamasapano town in southern Maguindanao province, killing two combatants and wounding four others.

MILF spokesman Von al Haq said yesterday they are taking steps to pacify the warring rebels and prevent an escalation.

The MILF signed a preliminary peace pact with the government on Oct. 15. The breakaway rebels ignored the accord and vowed to continue fighting.       

– With AP