Deadly village raid meant to avenge ambush of Moro family

COTABATO CITY – The attack on a secluded village here that left two civilians dead and another wounded Thursday dawn could have been meant to avenge the ambush of five civilian commuters and wounding of two others in a highway ambush three days earlier in Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Maguindanao, according to the local police.

Supt. Rex Anongos, Cotabato City police director, said about 20 to 30 heavily armed men aboard a motorized boat arrived at about 5 a.m. Thursday at Purok Lupapakan, Barangay Kalanganan 2 here and started to strafe and burn two of the houses near a fishpond in the village.

He said the attack left Abubakar Guiamalel and Guia Akmaed while another one of their companions was wounded. Anongos said troops responded but failed to catch up with the attackers.

At least 75 empty shells of M-16, AK 47, grenade launcher, M-14 and Garand rifles were recovered from the scene, he said.

Sources from local military said their investigations described Thursday’s attackers as possible members or affiliated with a family involved in a rido or a feud between clans.

The DOS town police earlier said the Monday ambush was motivated by a feud between the Ayunan clan, to which the victims belonged, and another Moro family. It warned that unless prompt remedies were done, the ambush might spill over to another violent retaliation.

A military intelligence report said the Ayunan family has allegedly been locked in a rido with the Karim clan.

Officials of the Maguindanao Task Force of Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU) chaired by Governor Esmael Mangudadatu were earlier reported to be mediating in a bid to settle the feud between the Ayunans and their rival family. (Ali G. Macabalang)