ZAMBOANGA CITY – Seven persons were killed while five others were wounded in a firefight between two feuding families Thursday in Hadji Motamad, Basilan.
Police identified the feuding families as the Sahibad and Ahmad clans that are both residents of Barangay Sangbay in Hadji Motamad.
Philippine National Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis D. Licup said yesterday four of the victims were taken to a hospital here.
Two of the victims were declared dead on arrival at Brent Hospital in this city. Licup identified the two fatalities as Abdillah A. Japaluddin, 33, and Nashra S. Akimuddin, 37.
Two others – Paring Sahibad, 67, and Tadeo Sahibad – were wounded are in serious condition due to bullet wounds.
They were first admitted to the Brent Hospital and later transferred to the Zamboanga City Medical Center here.
A police report said a member of the Sahibad family died on the spot during the encounter.
Reports reaching this city said Albani Ahmad, a kagawad (councilman) of Barangay Sangbay, appeared at the Sahibad residence armed with an automatic rifle, looking for Bassal Sahibad, son of Paring, whom he accused of jamming their radio network.
Since Bassal was not around and without any provocation, Ahmad opened fire at the victims. The Sahibads learned about the incident and immediately attacked the Ahmad family with automatic guns.
Four members of the Ahmad family were killed and some of them were wounded.
Police and military were reportedly hesitant to pacify the warring clans after they learned that the Sahibad family were followers and known supporters of Hadji Motamad Mayor Jamal Mansul.
Mansul was unavailable for comment on the incident since he does not frequently stay in his municipality. (Nonoy E. Lacson)
