Cops defuse tension in Lanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Police yesterday fielded peacekeeping contingents in Lanao del Sur’s adjoining Marugong and Malabang towns to prevent the escalation of hostilities between two Maranaw clans which have already left 12 people wounded and some 200 families dislocated.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Magsalos, Lanao del Sur police director, said their regional director, Chief Superintendent Mario Avenido, has also sent emissaries to convince the Santikan family in Malabang and the group of a certain Commander Pananandum in Marugong to reposition their forces away from a hinterland barangay at the boundary of the two towns where they traded shots using assault rifles and shoulder-fire grenades last Monday.