Maguindanao toll rises; residents flee

MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of residents have fled after guerillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and followers of a powerful politician figured in a running gun battle in Barangay Tenok, Maguindanao, where the casualties increased to 14 yesterday.

A 500-strong armored Army unit was deployed in the deserted village of Tenok yesterday, a day after the clash, to keep about 150 gun-wielding clan members of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu and 130 MILF fighters apart.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said initial investigation showed that the fighting was a result of rido, or a blood feud among Muslim families that can lead to so-called honor killings stretching over several generations.

“That’s the initial information that we got. It was a family feud,” Oban told Palace reporters in a chance interview at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, where he and various other appointees took their oaths of office before President Aquino.

“We’re still waiting for the official report. What we received were just sketchy (reports) so we’ll need a more detailed and official report coming from our units in the field. As of now, we just have to do what is necessary,” he said.

The President disclosed that he was briefed by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin by phone on the situation.

“I was just talking to the secretary of national defense. I was asking for an update. Initially, it seems to be stemming from rido, or family feud. I’m waiting for a more detailed report from them but they tell me that they are on top of the situation,Aquino said.

Oban said that at this point the government ?ust has to make sure that there will be nothing, nothing that would aggravate the situation in the area.”

He said negotiations are still ongoing, headed by the crisis management committee and the battalion commander of the infantry battalion, who is part of the committee.

“We?l have to maintain presence in the area and continue intelligence operations,Oban said, rejecting proposals for augmentation or deployment of additional soldiers.

MILF claims there was no ambush

The MILF said they want the feud between their members led by a certain Tauting Salendab and that of the clan of Mangudadatu to be settled immediately, especially following the clashes.

“We wanted to immediately convene our Task Force Tenok and their reconciliation committee so that they will face the problem squarely and suggest recommendations to put the matter to rest, including this latest incident,MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu told The STAR.

Kabalu said the MILF? Task Force Tenok and the reconciliation committee that Mangudadatu formed already met in Davao City two weeks ago in an effort to bring a peaceful end to the feud between Salendab and the Mangudadatus.

“Agreements were signed in that Davao meeting until it happened last Sunday,Kabalu said, insisting that there was no ambush that took place but rather an exchange of fire between the opposing groups that caused the deaths of certain people.

He said the MILF suffered one casualty and another wounded, as their men, who belonged to the rebel group? 109th base command, were also able to recover an M14 rifle and an M79 rocket launcher.

“Apparently we were provoked because of an existing rido,Kabalu told Catholic radio station dxMS.

Mangudadatu, on the other hand, insisted that there was an ambush and that it was not a rido, as earlier pointed out by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

He stressed that the MILF carried out the ambush to show their opposition to a road development project that was being implemented in the area.

The problem with the road project, according to Mangudadatu? lawyer Abubakar Katambak, was that it would pass near the headquarters of one of the units of the MILF.

“They do not want development to come their way. That is why they ambushed those working for the road project,Katambak said.

Maguindanao provincial police director Senior Supt. Marcelo Pintac said the incident is still being investigated and they could not conclude yet if Sunday? incident was an ambush or an encounter.

Mangudadatu said that seven of his relatives and four local officials had just alighted from a motorboat to inspect the road project when the guerrillas opened fire.

About 100 MILF rebels took part in Sunday? attack, said military spokesman Col. Prudencio Asto.

“While our troops are there they will not clash. The problem is when our troops leave the area, they might resume fighting,Asto said.

Rebel leader Mohagher Iqbal said the guerrillas and villagers have been locked in a land dispute with Mangudadatu? supporters and oppose the road project because they fear it will lead to the exploitation of the lake and nearby natural resources.

The rebels maintain an encampment near the lake but they have generally respected a cease-fire with government troops while their leaders have been involved in negotiations to end the decades long insurgency. Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Edith Regalado, John Unson, Jaime Laude, Rose Tamayo-Tesoro, AP