April 18, 2007, GMA News 11:34 AM, 3 more hurt in Maguindanao political feud,

April 18, 2007, GMA News 11:34 AM, 3 more hurt in Maguindanao political feud,

At least three men were injured in another encounter involving armed supporters of two mayoral candidates in Pagalungan town in Maguindanao province Monday night.

Sun-Star Davao reported Wednesday that this was the latest chapter of violence that forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes since last week.

It said the violence involved the armed groups of Pagalungan municipal Mayor Datu Djanggo Montawal led by Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Mohammad Andoy and Vice Mayor Norodin Matalam.

Supporters of the two bets crossed paths for the second time near Pagalungan Poblacion Proper about 7:20 p.m. Monday, and exchanged gunfire for about 15 minutes.

The clash ended upon the arrival of members of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion and local police in the area.

When the two first groups crossed paths last Saturday in Andab village in Pagalungan, at least two men died and five more were wounded.

Last Saturday’s gunbattle lasted at least two hours, with both groups firing high-caliber weapons. The clash ended when soldiers arrived.

The Sun-Star report said that with the recent encounter, more civilians have fled to avoid getting caught between the crossfire of the two rival groups.

Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police regional director Chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao and 6th Infantry Division chief Major General Raymundo Ferrer warned both political rivals to resolve their conflict or their groups will be disarmed and charged.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) noted that both rivals are affiliated with the administration.

Montawal is with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) while Matalam belongs to the Lakas-CMD.

In its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF lamented the rivalry between the two powerful families intensified as the elections in May 2007 draw near.

Matalam is running for mayor against the son of Montawal. Montawal is running for vice mayor against someone from Bagionged of the same town.

The wife of Montawal is the mayor of Datu Montawal town, an adjacent town in Maguindanao.

Allied with Montawal is former ABC president Kamad Andoy who is reported to have a following "of about 40 armed men mostly registered with the government and few elements of the MILF who are his relatives."

The Maguindanao fighting started in Barangy Kudal Friday and spilled over to other villages namely Damalasak, Inongog, Bagoinged, and the Poblacion.

Hundreds of heavily armed followers from both sides reportedly rushed to rescue their respective leaders.

At least 3,000 people were reportedly affected by the said fighting. Most of the evacuees reportedly fled to nearby towns of Pikit and Kabacan, both in North Cotabato.

Soldiers were deployed to Pagalungan to prevent escalation of clashes between two rival political groups that left two people dead and forced more than 500 families to flee their homes.

For his part, Goltiao said Monday they have also asked the Commission on Elections to put Pagalungan under its control.

At least six violent incidents have so far been recorded in ARMM since the election season started last January. ARMM covers Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Lanao Del Sur, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi, and Marawi City.

The region is listed as among the police’s immediate areas of concern in the May 14 elections. - GMANews.TV