7 killed, more than 1,000 families displaced in Basilan clan wars

ZAMBOANGA CITY - At least seven people were killed and more than a thousand families have been displaces in the on going clan war in a far-flung town in Basilan, police said Friday.

Nasser Langis Asikin, chairman of Barangay Cabengbeng, said that the warring clans of Abubakar Palaman and Jabbar Sandiki clashed last August 3 in their village in Mohammad Ajul town.

Seven followers from both sides were killed and an undetermined numbe of people were hurt in the clash.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao said at least 1,050 families were forced to evacuate to nearby villages.

Four days before the Palaman and Sandiki clans clashed, two other warring factions led respectively by certain Tanad Nasalun and Assalan Asala faced-off in Barangay Languyan.

No one was hurt in the clash, but 28 families were displaced.

Police and military forces have been deployed to Mohammad Ajul town and nearby areas.