Two armed lawless group members were killed after they fired upon a responding Army and PNP personnel in Barangay Lagandang, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat early Monday morning.
Lt. Col. Tristan Rey Vallescas, Battalion Commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion said that there was an ongoing “rido” or clan war between the MILF and MNLF forces in the area.
This escalating tensions and violence resulted in the displacement of civilians within the community.
Reports said that the armed groups involved in this rido have targeted the responding Army and PNP personnel who were performing Law Enforcement Operation and thus resulted in the death of two individuals.
After the incident, the government forces recovered two Barret Rifles, two M16 Rifles, one M60 machine gun, one 60 mm mortar, one cal. 22 rifle, one M203 tube and some ammunition.
On the other hand, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Division Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central stated that the conduct of law enforcement operation is entirely to disarm and arrest these armed groups who have constantly harassed the community in Brgy. Lagandang, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.