Seven armed men died when two feuding families engaged in a "rido" or clan war in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on Friday, Oct. 18, the military said.
The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said combined elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-2 (MBLT-2) and 65th Force Reconnaissance Company (65th FRC) were conducting a maritime security patrol in the vicinity waters of Bongao Island when it spotted two groups of armed men exchanging gunfire while aboard motorized boats at 1:56 p.m.
Suddenly, the troops were fired upon by one of the groups les by alas "Paradise", prompting the government forces to retaliate.
Three armen men died in the exchange with the military and their bodies were retrieved by the troops, said Westmincom commander Lt. Gen. William Gonzales.
Four more persons died during the gunfight between the feuding families and their bodies "sunk and were lost at sea."
After the gunfight, the armed men fled but the troops conducted pursuit operations.
Meanwhile, a soldier was wounded and brought to Camp Siongco Station Hospital (CSSH) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindao del Norte for immediate treatment.
"Our troops are doing their best to seize the fleeing lawless elements. While doing so, other efforts are taken into consideration to smoothen the process as we want these unlawful personalities to face appropriate criminal charges," said Gonzales.
Parang Mayor Cahar Ibay said the firefight began on Friday morning. He said the armed men belong to the "Arigasa" and "Usman" families.
Accordingly, the two families had a history of battling for control of territories in the area. The families were reportedly identified with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) but this has yet to be confirmed by the Westmincom.
"We are still firm on our stand that no one is above the law. Irregardless of their group, MILF, MNLF or other groups, if they violated the law, the AFP and PNP will enforce the law," Major Orlando Ayllon Jr., acting Westmincom spokesperson, said.
The troops recovered from the enemy’s possession multiple empty shells of 7.62mm and one crew-served M60 light machine gun with ammunition.