Villagers flee as tension mounts between security men of rival mining firms

BAYOG, Zamboanga del Sur—Subanen living in the village of Conacon have left their homes, fearing that mounting tension between two rival security agencies would erupt into a shooting battle, officials said Thursday.

Mayor Leonardo Babasa said the tension between the AY76 Security Agency and 24 Oras Bantay Security Agency was causing anxiety among villagers.

Babasa said residents feared that violence could flare up between guards of the security agencies following last week’s raid by 24 Oras men on the lair of AY76, which resulted in the confiscation of high-powered firearms, including AK47s.

24 Oras—owned by a son of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan—works for Bayog 9 Metal Corp., whose area was allegedly occupied illegally by Lupa Pigegetawan, AY76’s employer. AY76 is owned by retired Brig. Gen. Alexander Yapching.

Lucenio Manda, Conacon village chief, said some 30 families had left the village for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.

He said the tension also stalled the opening of classes in the village’s primary school and daycare centers. .

Babasa said he has ordered the police, headed by Insp. Daniel Pel-Ey, to remove guards of the two rival security agencies from Conacon “for the general welfare of the people and maintenance of peace and order.”

Former Army Capt. Audie Tukloy of AY76 said their order from Yapching was “to hold the line.”

Bayog 9 Metal Corp. representative Richard Lapira said their security forces would leave Conacon only after AY76 guards leave.