An individual was killed when a long-standing clan feud flared up again between two rival families in Barangay Barongis, Ligawasan town, Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in North Cotabato, on Wednesday, October 22.

In a report by RH Jun Dimacutac, the Ligawasan Municipal Police Station reported that the encounter involved several members of the Sampulna family, including a barangay councilor from Barangay Barongis, who clashed with members of the rival Adam family. The clash resulted in the death of a member of the Sampulna family.

Authorities noted that both sides were armed with high-powered firearms, based on the gunfire heard during the incident.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Erwin Jay Dumaghan, commander of the 40th Infantry Battalion (40IB), the two clans involved in the clash have been engaged in a long-standing feud. Authorities immediately intervened in the area to stop the fighting, but the warring groups initially refused to stand down. The exchange of gunfire eventually ceased after military personnel appealed for a ceasefire.

Dimacutac reported that the military recovered several firearms left behind by the feuding families at the scene. Seven types of high-powered weapons were added to the loose firearms recovered by the 40IB.

Moreover, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the conflict and assured that those who violated the law will be held accountable.

Military forces remain deployed in the area to prevent further tension and to ensure that the rule of law prevails following the incident.