2 dead, war materiel seized in Sultan Kudarat clash

WAR MATERIEL. Authorities seize assorted high-powered and unlicensed firearms after a brief firefight between government troops and a lawless armed group in Barangay Lagandang in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province on Monday afternoon, July 29. Two members of the armed band, who remain unidentified, were killed in the clash. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine Army

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao del Norte – Two armed men were killed when they tried to prevent police and military authorities from entering a village in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat province, where a “rido” (clan war) was brewing, the Army in this camp reported on Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Rey Vallescas, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, said soldiers and police officers were responding to reports from civilians about a dispute involving armed Moro families locked in a feud on Monday afternoon.

Involved in the hostilities that sent civilians fleeing were gunmen belonging to the armed factions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Barangay Lagandang, according to Vallescas.

“These escalating tensions and violence resulted in the displacement of civilians within the community,” Vallescas said, lamenting that the armed groups involved in the ‘rido’ had targeted the responding Army and police personnel.

Police are still determining the identities of the two slain armed men and whose side they belonged.

Government forces recovered two Barrett rifles, two M16 rifles, an M60 machine gun, a 60 mm mortar tube and launchpad, a .22-caliber rifle, an M79 grenade launcher, and hundreds of ammunition.

Major Gen. Antonio Navarrete, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the law enforcement operation aimed to disarm and arrest armed groups that have constantly harassed civilians in Barangay Lagandang due to clan war.

“We have emphasized that no one is above the law, and we will enforce that to all armed groups,” Navarrete said in a statement, referring to groups such as the MNLF and MILF forces, reminding them of the existing comprehensive ceasefire agreements with the government. (PNA)