Gang leader killed in clan war in Maguindanao—military

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao—An armed clash occurred Saturday morning in a remote village in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, leaving a gang leader killed, the military said.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon, speaking for the Eastern Mindanao command, said the fighting occurred around 8:30 a.m. in Barangay (village) Benolen, Datu Odin town.

Galon said the armed group of Guiamalon Usop and the armed followers of Ayog Usop clashed in Sitio (settlement) Manibala when the former was ambushed by the latter’s followers.

Guiamalon was killed and some of his men were hurt. It was not known how the Usops are related to each other.

“It was case of clan war or family feud,” Galon said.

Citing intelligence reports, Galon said the group of Ayog Usop had links with kidnap-for-ransom gangs operating in Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

Elements of the 6th Infantry Battalion have put up mobile checkpoints to prevent the armed conflict from spreading to other villages.—Edwin Fernandez