BASILAN ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Nov) - Gunmen shot dead a government militia and wounded his companion in an attack in the southern Philippine island of Basilan, a regional army commander said.
Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the attack occurred on Thursday in the busy business district of Tipo-Tipo.
"Authorities are still investigating the attack, but initial military report said this could be related to family or clan feud. We have soldiers in the area helping police track down the assailants," he told the Mindanao Examiner.
No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the town is also a notorious stronghold of Abu Sayyaf militants and rebels who had previously attacked government forces. Other reports said the militiaman was shot while buying provision for his unit.
Ferrer did not say whether the slain militia, a member of the army-backed CAFGU (Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit), was armed or not.
Vendetta killings is common in Basilan island and other areas in the southern Philippines and the feud would sometimes last for decades unless both protagonists or their relatives agree to a cease-fire brokered by religious leaders and accept blood money as payment for the bloodshed. (Mindanao Examiner)
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