FIVE people, including two militiamen and a village official, were killed while two others were wounded when a supposed settlement of family feud ended up violently in Basilan province, the military said Tuesday, August 6.
The Army’s 64th Infantry Battalion said the incident happened around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the village hall of Central Sumisip in Sumisip town, Basilan province.
The military identified the fatalities as the following: Nulphy Norin Taalil and Hasil Baakal, both militiamen of Central Sumisip; Abdulhassan Issek, village chief of Guiong; Hassan Muslimin Barillo of Central Sumisip; and Kinning Immo of Guiong.
Wounded were Marjim Barillo, village chief of Central Sumisip, and Ayog Baakal.
Investigation showed the protagonists gathered at the village hall of Central Sumisip purposely to settle the feud between the feuding families of Taalil and Baakal.
Sumisip Mayor Jul-adnan Hataman confirmed a shootout ensued when Taalil, Baakal, Issek and Barillio (Marjim) drew their firearms as heated arguments ensued while in the process of settling disputes.
Meanwhile, the military troops and policemen were placed on alert to avert escalation of violence as families and followers of both parties involved were “seen armed and wanting to exact revenge.”
Hataman has immediately called the military and police officials for an emergency meeting and discussed issues concerning the incident. (SunStar Philippines)