2 killed in attack on North Cotabato village chief’s group

COTABATO CITY, Philippines—Two persons were killed in an ambush in Banisilan, North Cotabato, on Tuesday in what authorities believed was part of the “rido” (family feud) involving a village chair and another family identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Killed were Takanda Mamukao and Muslimin Ampuan, both armed escorts of village chairman Sonny Kadil of Pantar in Banisilan.

Police said Kadil and his two companions were on board a motorbike heading toward Midsayap town, also in North Cotabato, when the gunmen positioned on both sides of the road, opened fire.

Kadil survived the ambush but his two followers were killed on the spot.

Kadil blamed a certain Commander Faron of the MILF with whom he had a longstanding family feud.

Both are locked in a land dispute and leadership conflict in Barangay (village) Pantar.

Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta, North Cotabato police director, has deployed police forces in Banisilan to prevent any escalation of the armed conflict.

Banisilan Mayor Betty Allado said she had sent emissaries to the families of the slain bodyguards of Kadil to convince them not to retaliate.

Kadil told police that his escorts did not carry guns in compliance with the election gun ban.

Colonel Roy Galido, 40th Infantry Battalion commander, sent peacekeeping forces to help the police prevent more armed conflict.

He also recommended a joint investigation of the Philippine government and MILF ceasefire panels.