Basilan mayor, vice mayor’s followers clash; 2 dead

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two persons were killed when armed followers of the mayor and vice mayor of Al-Barka, Basilan clashed on Tuesday night.

Police said the camps of Mayor Darussalam Lajid and Vice Mayor Mujib Dakilan each suffered a fatality.

The gunfight was believed triggered by politics and a grudge.

Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, deployed troops in the area to ease tension among residents.

Representatives from the police, military and provincial government coordinated with the warring camps to settle their dispute.

The task force lamented that the incident occurred following the signing of a memorandum of understanding among local leaders to surrender their guns to prevent criminality and terrorism in the town.