Hundreds flee village in Cotabato fearing avenging tribal group

KIDAPAWAN CITY —Hundreds of panic-stricken Cebuano and Ilonggo settlers, including tribal folk, left their houses in remote Barangay Sumalili of Arakan town in North Cotabato as a group of angry, armed natives entered their village to avenge their slain relative.

Arakan town information officer Leo Reovoca told reporters on Thursday that men from the Matigsalog tribe in Barangay Tawas, Kitao-tao, Bukidnon came to avenge the death of their member last September 30.

An initial investigation showed that the Matigsalog tribesman was killed at a public dance event in neighboring barangay, but the avenging group suspected that the killer was hiding in Sumalili.

The intruders hacked to death a certain Dolfo Handumon (an Ilonggo settler) believing that he was the killer.

Handumon, according to Reovoca, was tending his farm when the Matigsalogs came and killed him, even after pleading he was innocent.

After learning Halandumon's death, residents of Barangay Sumalili fled for their safety, according to Reovoca.

To settle the conflict, Arakan mayor Rene Rubino went to Sumalili last Tuesday, and called for a dialogue, with tribal leaders in attendance.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to pay the aggrieved Matigsalog family a certain amount as "blood money."

Mayor Rubino also gave a carabao to appease the Matigsalog  household.

But last Wednesday, panic gripped Barangay Sumalili again when a group of armed men entered their village, Chief Inspector Jose Mari Molina of the Arakan Police said.

Fleeing residents have chosen to stay at the barangay center for their safety. As of this Thursday, Reovoca said, they were not sure if the barangay is already safe for the residents.

“The mayor has already ordered the police to monitor the village, and has sought the Army's help to ensure peace and order in the area," Reovoca added. —LBG, GMA News