12 fishermen seized in Basilan clan feud

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Armed men seized at least 12 fishermen in a remote village in Basilan last Saturday in a feud possibly stemming from clan rivalry in the recent local elections, authorities said.

Basilan Vice Gov. Al-Rasheed Sakalahul, chairman of the peace and order council, said the victims were snatched by one of the warring clans in Barangay Matata, Ungkaya Pukan town. 

Citing police reports, Sakalahul said the victims, including Badjaos, were on their way home after fishing off Sitio Layohan when the armed group of Puwih Ambali seized them.

“The victims were taken and used as hostages by Puwih Ambali to pressure the barangay officials to help settle their rido against the clan of a certain Hadji Faisal,” Sakalahul said.

Other reports though said Ambali’s group demanded an unspecified amount of money and firearms in exchange for the release of the 12 fishermen.

Sakalahul belied information that the fishermen were victims of kidnapping, saying they were just innocent victims of the feud between two clans in the village of Matata.

He said religious elders and police have been directed to help settle the clan feud, or rido.

A relative of the village chief reportedly belongs to one of the warring clans. – With AP, Cecille Suerte Felipe