DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao – Police and military forces have been deployed in a village in Maguindanao where a shootout occurred between banana plantation security guards and a group of armed men Thursday afternoon, October 21.
“The 4 p.m. firefight left one security guard dead and two others injured,” Col. Jibin Bongcayao, provincial police director, told reporters in an interview Friday.
Bongcayao said the firefight between the security guards of Amavi banana firm and the group of village chairperson Ugalingan Pagayao erupted while the plantation men were putting up tents in Barangay Brar, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao.
“Our investigation revealed that the family of the slain security guard and the family of the village official were locked in a long-standing 'rido' (family feud),” he said.
The clash resulted in the death of Armand Kanapia, an Amavi banana plantation security guard.
The two gunmen wounded in the clash are relatives of Pagayao identified only known as Khagi and Teng.
Police also arrested two men, both armed with cal. 45 pistol, M14 assault rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Bongcayao said police peacekeeping forces have been deployed to prevent the escalation of the conflict while local leaders were negotiating for a peaceful closure of the disagreement.