ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Rido or clan conflict is emerging as the possible motive that triggered the killing of 23 people in Talipao, Sulu last Monday, a security official revealed yesterday.
The security official based in Sulu said their initial findings indicate clan feud as the motive in the ambush.
A total of 23 civilians were killed and eight others wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire at their vehicles on their way to celebrate Eid’l Fitr. Most of the victims were women and children.
Authorities initially suspected the Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Iddang Susukan and Pisih Sibih staged the ambush.
The security official, however, pointed out the manner of killing the helpless civilians.
“The way perpetrators killed their victims showed deep rage and it appears it was not just mere ambush, because no one was spared, including those innocent children,” the official said.
Investigators have gathered 20 statements of witnesses in identifying the gunmen.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Pio Catapang Jr. said security forces have been deployed in Talipao to maintain peace and order in the town.
The military and police forces have intensified the security in the area to avert possible retaliation by surviving families of the victims.
Reports said the survivors positively identified some of the gunmen in the attack.
Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said additional government troops were deployed to support the local police.
“This is a priority now on the ground to prevent any retaliation,” Guerrero said.
He said the 2nd Marine Brigade led by Brig. Gen. Martin Pinto and the police are coordinating with the provincial peace and order council (PPOC) to ensure the villagers will not take the law into their hands but allow the authorities to render justice.
Guerrero said the military is also supporting the local police in the investigation.
Tambrin Tulawie, vice-chairman of the municipal peace and order council, met with local communities last Thursday to assure them that measures are in place to provide justice to the victims.
Tulawie appealed to the relatives of the victims to allow the police to investigate and file charges against the gunmen.
Local officials also appealed to the victims’ relatives “to let the authorities provide justice for the massacre victims.”
The Talipao municipal local government has extended financial, food and security assistance to affected families. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Sulu provincial government had also provided financial assistance to the victims’ families. – Alexis Romero, John Unson