BANGSAMORO police officers. (FB)
COTABATO CITY – Police are hunting members of two warring clans involved in skirmishes in Picong, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one person embroiled in a clan war and the wounding of five civilians caught in the crossfire.
The hostilities erupted after a public utility vehicle (PUV) driver was shot dead by a firearm-wielding neighbor in Barangay Pindolonan, Picong at about 12:30 p.m.
Police Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the victim as Aiman Absarani Gunda, 27, and the suspect as Jamel Saripada Macabanding, 27.
“Gunda was attacked by Macabanding using an M-16 rifle, killing him instantly. Macabanding quickly fled,” Salanguit said in a radio interview Wednesday.
A few hours later, a firefight erupted between the relatives of Gunda and Macabanding, who are also neighbors.
Salanguit said the firefight lasted for about 45 minutes and resulted in the injury of five civilians.
“The wounded civilians are now undergoing medication at Dr. Serapio Montañer Memorial Hospital in Malabang, Lanao del Sur,” she said.
Salanguit said the Picong municipal police station personnel are still conducting further investigation and preparing appropriate charges against those involved in the armed hostilities. (PNA)