KIDAPAWAN CITY – Some 200 Moro families evacuated to safer places in Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato after two warring clans exchanged fires Monday. Both clans belong to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), reports said.
Superintendent Bernard Tayong, spokesperson for the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), the skirmishes erupted when the group of Commander Kantil of the 105th Base Command of the MILF ambushed village chair Abdullah Maraguer of Barangay Burikain, Pigcawayan, who was on his way home onboard his motorbike. Maraguer was reportedly with his 14-year-old niece John Paul Maraguer who was also killed during the ambush.
On Monday, Maraguer’s clan raided the area, also in Barangay Burikain, where Kantil and his armed men were believed hiding. Tayong said the exchange of fires between two groups lasted until Tuesday.
Cotabato Governor Lala Mendoza has sent an emissary to the village to help pacify the clan war or “rido” and assist the evacuees to return homes. The settlement of the clan dispute took place around 3 p.m., Tuesday, but the evacuees decided to stay temporarily in the evacuation areas. (Malu Cadelina Manar)