NDRRMC: 1 hurt, 127 evacuated due to armed clash in Sarangani

A village defense force member was wounded while 127 people were evacuated after an armed clash in Sarangani province early Saturday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. Citing sketchy initial reports, the NDRRMC said the incident occurred at 6:30 a.m. Saturday in Sitio Napilay in Barangay Tulukas in Maitum town. Wounded was Molok Lunggoyen, a member of the Barangay Defense Force, the report said. He was brought to the Diagan Cooperative Hospital in General Santos City for medical attention. An initial investigation showed some 30 "heavily armed men" led by one Datu Engig engaged the Barangay Defense Force in an armed conflict. The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also deployed a team to assist the evacuees. Elements of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines were deployed to the area to maintain peace and order. — LBG, GMA News