ZAMBOANGA CITY, 19 March 2006 — Three people were killed and 3 others wounded in fierce clashes between two warring families in the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi, officials said yesterday.
The fighting erupted late Friday in Panglima Sugala town after the group of former town Vice Mayor Bidin Galib clashed with Amir Asaron and his followers, according to the military’s Southern Command (Southcom) headquarters in Zamboanga City.
“The two groups have been involved in previous fighting because of a long time feud. Troops have strict orders to confiscate illegal weapons in the area and to prevent hostilities from breaking out again,” said Maj. Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the Southcom.
He said Asaron was ambushed by Galib’s group in the village of Magsagao, triggering a running gunbattle that killed Galib and two of his followers.
Asaron and his elder brother Eron, and one of Galib’s supporters were also reported injured in the fighting.
It was unknown if troops or policemen have made any arrest, or seize weapons from the two warring groups.
Clan war, locally known as rido, is common in the southern Philippines, sometimes lasting decades. Local police and the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been instrumental in settling some of these feuds.
