By Nonoy Lacson ZAMBOANGA CITY – Seven persons were killed, while five others were wounded when two feuding families engaged in a firefight Thursday night in a remote village in Hadji Motamad town in Basilan province. The police identified the feuding families as the Sahibads and the Ahmads, both residents of Barangay Sangbay in Hadji Motamad town in Basilan province. Police Regional Office in Zamboanga peninsula (PRO-9) Director Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis D. Licup said Friday four of the wounded victims were brought to this city for medical attention. Two of the victims were declared dead on arrival at Brent Hospital in this city while the two others were in serious condition due to bullet wounds. Licup identified the fatalities as Abdillah Japaluddin, 33; and Nashra Akimuddin, 37, who were declared dead-on-arrival by the attending physician. The two wounded victims were identified as Paring Sahibad 67 and Tadeo Sahibad who were admitted at the Brent Hospital and later transferred to the Zamboanga City Medical Center. The report said another member of the Sahibad family died on-the-spot. Reports reaching this city said Albani Ahmad a barangay kagawad of Sangbay went to the residence of the Sahibads brandishing an automatic rifle while looking for Bassal Sahibad, son of Paring Sahibad. He was accusing Bassal of jamming their radio network. Since Bassal was not around, Ahmad reportedly opened fire at the victims without any provocation, hitting them in different parts of the body. Upon learning of the incident, the Sahibad family promptly retaliated and sprayed the Ahmad compound with automatic gunfire. Four members of the Ahmad family were allegedly killed in that attack. The police and military were reportedly hesitant to pacify the incident after learning that the Sahibad family were followers and known supporters of Hadji Motamad Mayor Jamal Mansul. Mansul could not be contacted for comment on the incident.