Moro families flee in Maguindanao due to clan war

KIDAPAWAN CITY --At least 30 Maguindanaon families remained at their relatives’ houses in nearby barangayS in Pagalungan, Maguindanao despite assurance that clashes between two warring political clans had already stopped, police authorities said. Those that decided to stay put are neighbors of slain rebel commander Reniedo Guialil of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a breakaway of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).Reports have circulated among evacuees that accordingly, Guialil’s immediate family and relatives are planning retaliatory attacks against those responsible for his death.Senior Inspector Blayn Lumase, chief of Pagalungan police, identified a certain Jojo Matalam, also a rebel commander, as behind Guialil’s murder. They used to be together Jojo Matalam and Reniedo Guialil, Lumase said. It appears Matalam could no longer control Guialil, he added.Other reports are saying that Matalam executed Guialil because of the latter’s connection with the Mamasabulod family, whosemembers are running in different elective posts in Pagalungan town.Guialil is a relative of incumbent and re-electionist Mayor Mamasabulod of Pagalungan.Jimmy Matalam, a relative of Jojo Matalam, is running as mayor, also in Pagalungan.At least seven members of the Matalam clan are running in different posts on May 9 local polls. Despite this, the Pagalungan PNP claimed that Guialil’s murder has nothing to do with the upcoming elections. I think it has nothing to do with the coming elections. It is more of a personal grudge between two armed groups, Lumase explained.On April 27, Guialil and his group clashed with the group of Matalam.Both were armed with high-powered guns.Guialil suffered serious gunshot wounds in different parts of his body and was declared dead upon arrival at the Polymedic Hospital in nearby Kabacan. Evacuees complained that the local government of Pagalungan has not given them relief assistance since Wednesday.