3 dead in land feud clashes

COTABATO CITY—At least three people were killed while nine others were wounded when clashes between armed followers of two warring village chiefs in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao, erupted anew yesterday, a military official said.

More than 10,000 people had fled since the clashes started on Sunday between the groups of Duma Ugayan and Jerry Macalay, village chairs of Malipodok and Baital, Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said.

Asto said the latest fighting was triggered by an attack staged by Ugayan’s group early yesterday.

Zamzamin Ampatuan, head of the town’s village chiefs association, said the fleeing families were from seven villages near Malipodok and Baital.

Ugayan is a former member of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Macalay has relatives in MNLF and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Ampatuan said the bloodshed was caused by conflicting claims over land. Jeoffrey Maitem, Inquirer Mindanao