Basilan clan war eases with release of seized civilians – AFP

MANILA, Philippines – The civilians that included children who were held by feuding Muslim clans in Basilan have already been freed, the military said Monday.

Eight people belonging to the Dayalin clan were released Monday morning in Bohe Lebung in Tipo-Tipo through the coordination of military, Moro National Liberation Front/ Moro Islamic Liberation Front and police and local government units, Colonel Carlito Galvez of the Army’s 104th Brigade in Basilan told INQUIRER.net.

Army’s First Infantry Division spokesman Captain Jefferson Somera said the eight were: Faija Banua, Satra Banua, Haide Banua; Dalma Ambihal, Hapsa Ambihal, Kalipa Ambihal, Pasri Ambihal and Haipa Ambihal.

The abduction was led by commander Hassan of the Duwalay clan on Thursday last week in retaliation for his three abducted daughters by the rival Dayalin family.

His group originally abducted 12 persons, but four were freed on the day of the abduction.

Meanwhile, three kidnapped victims, the daughters of Hassan, of the Duwalay clan, identified as Hudjaimi Ahlil (Umma), 21; Karima Ahlil (Kelma), 15; and Raida Ahlil (Pubu)), 13, were freed Sunday night in Riverside, Matibay village in Lamitan City at about 7 p.m.

They were abducted Tuesday last week.

“Hassan agreed to free the victims after his three children were recovered,” Senior Superintendent Mario Dapilloza, Basilan police director, said in a phone interview.

He noted that Hassan’s children weren’t really abducted as they were already able to hide themselves after getting suspicions that there are plans to have them abducted.

“They were recovered yesterday (Sunday), and it turned out that someone took care of them in Lamitan,” Dapilloza said.

He said the victims were supposed to undergo medical examinations, but they refused.

A dialogue was then conducted so as “to seek for peace in the area.”

The activity ended around 12:30 p.m., Dapilloza said.

The sequential abduction of persons that included minors is rooted to a three-decade long standing rido (clan war) between the two families, the Western Mindanao Command said earlier.