Cops, troops secure areas in NCotabato

COTABATO CITY, Philippines  --- The police and military are still clearing isolated areas in a farming district in Tulunan, North Cotabato following  Staurday's running firefights between some 20 heavily-armed cattle rustlers and local community watchmen.

The incident dislocated more than 70 families, according to the Tulunan municipal police.

Mateo Tadique, chairman of Barangay Maybula in Tulunan, told reporters the hostilities in a farming village under his jurisdiction erupted when the thieves, armed with assault rifles, tried to intrude, provoking a fight with the local community peacekeeping group.

Two barangay watchmen were wounded in the ensuing encounter, which waned only when the gunmen scampered away after sensing that responding soldiers and policemen have started closing in.

Chief Inspector Ronnie Cordero, chief of the Tulunan municipal police, said the displaced villagers are now  staying  at the barangay center and nearby public school campus.

Cordero said the wounded barangay watchmen are now undergoing medication at a local hospital.

Cordero said farmers work in their fields during the day and gather at the evacuation sites at night for fear  the gunmen might return and rob them of their farm animals.

Investigators have recommended to the Tulunan local government unit to request the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to help investigate the incident owing to  reports that  the gunmen that raided Barangay Maybula were members of the MILF.

“But the information needs to be validated well. We’re not blaming any group now. We need to investigate on the incident deeply,” Cordero told reporters.