COTABATO CITY -- Five villagers were killed and several others wounded when two feuding Moro families clashed anew in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan, on Thursday.
But Superintendent Danilo Bacas, spokesman of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) police, has yet to identify the fatalities.
Bacas said the fighting started Thursday afternoon between the families of Tabunaway and Minalang who both claimed they were the rightful owners of vast hectares of coconut lands in Barangay Laguitan, a coastal area in Datu Blah Sinsuat.
One of the clans, reports said, supports the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), while the other family is identified with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Reports also said that both the local MILF and MNLF leaders in Datu Blah town are backing the clan wars.
Local leaders said the fighting has violated the truce signed last month by both clans.
Bacas said they received reports from village officials in Laguitan that at least five members from both clans were killed in the renewed hostilities.
The families have long been at odds as to who should control a parcel of coconut land in Barangay Laguitan, located at the boundary of Shariff Kabungsuwan and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
Bacas said the fighting started Thursday when both clans showed "force" by displaying their military-type assault rifles at the other's territory.
The exchange of fires lasted for about two hours, residents said.
At least 20 families in the area evacuated to safer places to prevent being caught in the crossfire. (MCM)
