'Rido' in North Cotabato town displaces 400 families

MANILA, Philippines — A series of firefights between clans in Midsayap town since Monday has left two dead and four others wounded.

Police and Army units in the municipality have confirmed that the hostilities in Barangay Tumbras in Midsayap, North Cotabato between the Taha and Macarimbor clans have displaced 417 families who have left their homes from fear of being caught in the crossfire.

The two clans, who are involved in a land dispute in Barangay Tumbras and are also locked in deep-seated political differences, reportedly lost a member each in the ensuing skirmishes.

Two gunmen from each side have also been wounded in the sporadic gunfights, according to military officials based in Midsayap.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Thursday that the 34th Infantry Battalion is now trying to peacefully resolve the “rido,” or clan war, between the Macarimbor and Taha families.

Sobejana said local officials are now attending to the needs of affected residents from Barangay Tumbras who have relocated to safer areas.