By Kenneth Christian L. Basilio, reporter
Government troops were deployed to a southern Philippine city on Tuesday after a family clan invaded the area in search of the suspected killer of one of its members, officials said, leading to gunfire in the latest flare-up of violence in Mindanao.
According to the Basilan Provincial Police Office, the shootout broke out in Tipo-Tipo after a clan seeking to avenge a murdered relative searched for a suspected attacker.
“Tension in Tipo-Tipo is directly related to the shooting and death of an Islamic teacher and barangay official,” it said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Reports indicate that followers…are seeking revenge and have reportedly identified those responsible for the killing.”
Basilan Governor Mujeev S. Hataman said the man killed was linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – once the region's largest armed group advocating Mindanao's autonomy – and the victim's clan believed the suspect was in the municipality.
“They entered the municipal town because their suspect is a municipal guard… and they wanted him to be handed over to them,” he told One PH on Cignal TV.
About 26.2 million people live in Mindanao, considered one of the most unstable regions of the Southeast Asian nation, which has long been plagued by militant groups advocating the separation of the key Philippine island.
But violence has largely subsided in recent years following the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as a result of peace efforts between the government and former rebel groups.
Tipo-Tipo's local government earlier said in a Facebook post that the town was under “siege” allegedly by “lawless elements” backed by the MILF, raising fears of renewed violence reminiscent of the Marawi siege, one of the deadliest urban conflicts in Mindanao in the last decade.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are jointly working to prevent further escalation, protect civilians, and restore peace and order in the affected communities,” Basilan Provincial Police said.
The Armed Forces Command in Western Mindanao said a joint military task force took up defensive positions and “prevented any armed groups from advancing towards key facilities”, including the government hall of Tipo-Tipo.
“Government troops are exercising tactical restraint to prevent further escalation of hostilities while ensuring the safety of the civilian population,” it said in a separate statement.
About 2,500 families fled the city, Mr. Hatman said. “They left voluntarily and moved to nearby villages.” He said that four civilians were injured in the firing.
“This affected about 90% of the population in Tipo-Tipo,” he said. “Even before the incident, they were aware of [possible conflict] Because some of those who entered the city were also his relatives.”
The local government of Tipo-Tipo has indefinitely suspended classes and government operations following the shooting, the Facebook post said.
The Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces assured the public that they were in control of the situation and were taking “all necessary measures” to restore peace.
“The incident is now under control, with the Coordination Committee on Cessation of Hostilities and the Provincial Government of Basilan facilitating dialogue and de-escalation,” AFP said in a separate statement.
