Five people were killed while another was wounded in Basilan on Tuesday after two warring families figured in a firefight while attempting to settle their feud, the military reported.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Spokesman Major Arvin Encinas said that based on initial reports, the family of Hadji Talil and the group of Marjim Barillo and Arsid Isik were holding a “family feud settlement” when a misunderstanding occurred, triggering a firefight.
The gun battle occurred at around 11:23 a.m. at Sitio Ereley, Barangay Central in Sumisip, Basilan.
Encinas said that the family of Talil is based at Barangay Libug, while Barillo is the barangay chairman of Central, and Isik, the barangay chairman of Guiong, all of Sumisip.
During the gun battle, five civilians were killed. They were identified as Kinning Emo, Nulphy Norim, Hasil Baakal, Hassamin Barillo Muslimin and Isik.
Another civilian identified as Ayog Baakal was also wounded. Authorities are still investigating the incident.