BASILAN ISLAND, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 13 Aug) – At least one person was killed in a firefight between two rival Muslim families in Basilan island in the southern Philippines.
Dozens of families have fled their homes because of the fighting that erupted on a remote village called Dansalan near Lantawan town at the weekend. The skirmishes erupted after a villager, Haji Paraja, was killed by a son of his opponent.
In retaliation, Paraja’s relatives attacked the gunman’s family, sparking sporadic battle in the village, but it was not immediately known whether there were casualties in the fighting.
Sporadic gunfight was also reported Monday, but no reports of fresh killings.
Before he was killed, Paraja told his family that he would run in next month’s village elections. It was not immediately known whether his murder had anything to do with politics. The suspect in his killing remains at large.
Before he was killed, Paraja told his family that he would run in next month’s village elections. It was not immediately known whether his murder had anything to do with politics. The suspect in his killing remains at large.
Vendetta killing is common in Basilan island and other areas in the southern Philippines and the feud would sometimes last for decades unless both protagonists agree to a cease-fire brokered by religious leaders and accept blood money as payment for the bloodshed. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment