Student dies as clan war in South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat border erupts anew

KORONADAL CITY — A student was killed by stray bullets after warring families in the borders of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces figured in armed clashes anew on Friday, June 21, police said.

About 20 families from Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato also fled to safer grounds when armed families traded bullets, according to Police Major Nathaniel Panaguiton, Lake Sebu town police chief.

Panaguiton identified the slain student as Richard Tungkay, 19, a resident of Barangay Nolon, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Tungkay was crossing the border, just like he usually did during class days to study at Barangay Ned Proper National High School in South Cotabato, when he was hit by stray bullets, said Panaguiton.

Panaguiton said those involved in the armed confrontation were Moro families locked in “rido” (clan war) due to territorial dispute.

The warring clans are the families of Mike Binago and Adlam Saliod, who have relatives in Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), two rebel groups operating in Palimbang.

The displaced families from Barangay Molon of Palimbang and Sitio Kumilat of Barnagay Ned, Lake Sebu are now housed at the village covered court of Barangay Ned proper.

Last April, more than 200 families or about 1,000 individuals from remote communities along the borders of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat also fled to safer grounds after the same warring clans figured in armed clashes, police and disaster officials said.

Local leaders from both local governments and the military are trying to bring the protagonists to the negotiating table for a peaceful settlement of their dispute, Panaguitan said. (Editor: Leti Boniol)