ZAMBOANGA CITY, 28 November 2003 — Six people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a group discussing wedding plans in the southern Philippines, officials said.
Six others were wounded in the attack that happened at around 11.30 a.m. in Rumirimbang village of Barira town in Maguindanao province, said police officer Supt. Isnaji Bantala.
Police and military officials identified four of the fatalities as Rohaina Solayman, 28; Eskats Solayman, 30; Johny Maricor, 35; and Ruben Maricor, 29.
Bantala said the Solayman and Barao clans were huddled in negotiations over dowry and marriage arrangements when some 10 masked gunmen attacked them.
A civilian militiaman from one of the families managed to return fire and some of the attackers were reportedly hit.
Bantala said they were looking into reports that the attack could have sprung from a family feud.
Norodin Barao of the Barao clan said that some of the attackers had been identified.
“Everybody in the village knew them, they have acts to grind against us,” Barao told reporters in the Maguindanao language.
Clan feuds is common especially in the Central Mindanao area, with some cases lasting for decades.
