A ranking officer of the military force of the Moro Islamic LIberation Front (MILF) and eight others died while three others were wounded in what authorities said was a case of ambush in Guindulungan, Maguindanao on Saturday, Feb. 12.
A report reaching Camp Crame in Quezon City identified the fatalities as Peges Mamasainged alias Commander Black Magic from the Inner Guard Base Vommand of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) MILF; Sadam Mamasainged; Sadre Mamasainged; Johari Mamasainged; Kamaro Mamasainged; and a certain Tani.
Three other fatalities remain unidentified.
The group of Commander Black Magic were reportedly on board two vehicles heading to Barangay Kalumamis in Guindulungan town at around 8:30 a.m. when a group of armed men started shooting the vehicle in Barangay Tambunan II.
The initial investigation reportedly pointed to the group of a certain Jordan Mama Lintang, alias Commander Jordan and his son Morsid Mama Lintang aka Ngelong. Both the suspects are also members of the MILF.
"The motive of the incident is the long standing family feud/grudge of the involved parties," a police report read.
The attack also resulted in the wounding of Anwar M Dimasinsil, Mangi M Mamasainged, and Banarin Lumalag. They were taken to a nearby hosptial.
Police and military operatives were already deployed in the area.