Family feud: 3 killed

ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least three persons have already been killed during the initial clash between the Muslim clans of Ameril of Barangay Caras-an and Christian family of Balindong of Barangay Punong, Sultan Gumander, Lanao del Sur.

Armed Forces Southern Command spokesman Lt. Col. Danilo Servando said the fighting erupted Wednesday when the family and followers of Ameril clan attacked the Balindongs at about 9:30 p.m. leaving three killed from the Ameril clan.

They were identified as Makat Urban, Manti and Salpon, all surnamed Ameril. No casualty was reported from the Balindong side, according to Servando.

He said the fierce encounter between the two warring clans forced many villagers to scamper to safer grounds for fear that they might get caught in the crossfire.

Servando said elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Teams (MBLT) 4 and 1 were dispatched and pacified the warring clans.

Meanwhile, two civilians were killed when five unidentified hooded armed men assaulted a residential house in a Muslim village in Talayan town, Maguindanao Thursday dawn.

Killed were identified as Abusama Kintol, 48, and his son-in-law Tata Abusama Akas, 27, both of Barangay Muslim. — Roel Pareño