Clan war claims lives of 6 in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Six persons were killed, while several others were hurt when Moro families clashed over the weekend in an apparent clan war, or “rido,” over ownership of a vast track of land, the Army reported yesterday.

Capt. Alvin Macatangay, spokesperson of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, said local civilian authorities backed by government troops have been deployed to stand in the middle of a raging dispute between the clan of Jimmy Matalam, led by his son Arlin Matalam, and the Cua family in Barangay Gen. Luna in Carmen, North Cotabato.

Macatangay identified those slain in the “rido” as Ustadz Odin Bala, Mesi Bala and King Kambambalan, who were all from the side of the Cua family as backstopped by the Kalawan and Kusain Akmad families.

The fatalities on the side of the Matalam clan were identified as Zukarno Maguid, Lawan Lakman and Makungan Lakman.

The Cua family was reportedly backed by armed men led by Commanders Kineg Inalang and Duton Mantawil of Barangay Pedtad in the adjacent town of Kabacan.

The Matalams, according to an online report, were reinforced by armed men from Barangay Kilangan in Pagalungan, Maguindanao, which is also adjacent to Carmen town.

Macatangay said soldiers and police have been posted along the Sayre highway to secure the safety of motorists.

He urged Muslim local and religious leaders to intervene and prevent further escalation of armed conflict.

It was also learned that both groups have followers from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).