9 die in Maguindanao ‘massacre’
NINE persons were killed while three others were wounded when armed men ambushed a convoy of the group of Peges Mamasainged, alias Commander Black Magic, Saturday morning in Guindulungan, Maguindanao.
Six of the fatalities were identified as Peges ‘Black Magic’ Mamasainged, Sadam Mamasainged, Sadre Mamasainged, Johari Mamasainged, Kamaro Mamasainged and a certain Tani.
Taken to the nearest hospital for treatment were Anwar M. Dimasinsil, Mangi M. Mamasainged and Banarin Lumalag.
Reports reaching Camp Crame showed that the incident occurred at around 8:30 a.m. at Sitio Dam, Bgy. Tambunan II in Guindulungan.
Initial investigation showed that the group of Commander Black Magic was onboard a maroon Mitsubishi Montero with plate number RNW 889 and black Ford Ranger with plate number LAS 6907 on their way to Bgy. Kalumamos in Guindulungan, when they were ambushed allegedly by the group of Jordan Mama Lintang, alias Commander Jordan, and his son Morsid Mama Lintang, alias Ngelong.
The suspects were allegedly members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Accordingly, the motive of the incident is a long-standing family feud.
The victims reportedly were out to settle a clan war when they were attacked triggering fears of retaliatory actions from their relatives and other supporters.
Combined elements of the Guindulungan Municipal Police Station and Armed Forces of the Philippines were deployed in the area to conduct an investigation.
The incident came in the wake of the massive Philippine National Police operations to account for more partisan armed groups and loose firearms in Maguindanao and other parts of Mindanao which are known for violence, mostly triggered by “Rido” of family vendetta and warning politicians and their armed supporters.
Guindolongan, Maguindanao has been the scene of a number of similar violent incidents attributed to warlords and their own private armies.
During the national and local elections on May 9, 2016, a still unidentified gunman shot to death a voter right inside a local polling station before fleeing on foot. By ZAIDA DELOS REYES & ALFRED DALIZON
