3 killed, 2 wounded as partisans strafe farming village

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Suspected partisans strafed with automatic weapons a farming village in the newly-created Datu Sangki town in Maguindanao at dawn yesterday, killing three villagers and wounding two others, all minors.

Maguindanao’s police command identified the fatalities as Kabayan, 60; Zacaria, 45; and Neria, 30, all surnamed Kamlon. Two other members of the Kamlon family — Mara, 10; and Maik, 13, were wounded in the shooting frenzy and are now confined at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City.

Investigators said the gunmen first surrounded the victims’ house in Barangay Dimaampao in Datu Sangki and, without warning, opened fire with M16 and caliber .30 Garand rifles. The armed men also strafed nearby houses as they fled, triggering panic among local residents.

Local sources revealed that the Kamlons are known supporters of local candidates belonging to the Lakas-CMD. However, Senior Superintendent Amerodin Hamdag, director of the Maguindanao police, said probers have yet to determine if the attack was indeed politically-motivated as some members of the Kamlon family are locked in a "rido" or blood feud with other clans in the area. — John Unson