ILIGAN CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now investigating the exchange of gunfire that transpired in Barangay Gandamato, Bacolod Calawi, Lanao del Sur at 4:30 p.m. last Friday, January 5.
According to the report by the Joint Task Force Ranao, an initial encounter happened between the factions of the Amanodin Clan and the Dipatuan Clan, owing to "rido" or clan war which lasted for about an hour.
Col. Romeo Brawner in a press statement said the gunfire caused the disruption of traffic flow along the highway of said municipality.
As a result, four members of the Amanodin clan were reportedly wounded.
Upon receiving the report, personnel of the 65th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army responded but were fired upon by unidentified armed men that prompted the government forces to return fire.
Exchange of gunfire between the government troops and the unidentified armed men lasted for 15 minutes but the 65th IB was able to control the situation, leading to ceasefire.
Police Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, regional director of the PNP in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said they will continue to conduct manhunt operations against the suspects while cases are being prepared against them.
“Cases will be filed including those who are harbouring them and searches will be conducted in houses where their firearms are being kept,” Mijares said in a phone interview.
According to Mijares, personnel of Bacolod Calawi Municipal Police Station will also be investigated if they have been involved in said incident.
The provincial level of the PNP in Lanao del Sur had already been directed to coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Some personnel of the provincial police office will also be augmented in the area.
Major General Roseller Murillo, Commander of the Joint Task Force Ranao, said the AFP will not tolerate incidents of rido and will continue to conduct law enforcement operations in cooperation with the PNP while Martial Law is in effect.
Meanwhile, ARMM Assemblyman Zia Adiong said that while Martial Law is still in effect, residents in Lanao del Sur should capitalize on it by resolving clan disputes in order to maintain peace and order stability on the ground.
“We would advise our security sector to strengthen its partnership with the civilian authority by working closely on any peace resolution initiatives with the community leaders and the local government units to appreciate the cultural dynamics involve in resolving ridos,” Adiong said in a statement sent to media.
The local government, he said, aims to end family disputes “not simply to impose temporary ceasefire.”
Adiong added: “One of the means to effectively resolve clan disputes of rido from spreading is to ensure that loose firearms will not fall on the wrong hands and to stop the proliferation of unregistered firearms in the market.”