4 hurt in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan conflict —Army official

Four civilians were hurt during the rido or clan war-related conflict in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan on Tuesday, according to Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Genesis Dizon.

Dizon said the wounded individuals were not involved in the fight between the two clans.

“Yung latest po na report natin na kinumpirma din po sa province is apat po na civilian pero hindi po sila kasali, hindi sila kasama sa gulo. Nadamay lang po sila,” Dizon told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.

(Based on our latest report, which was also confirmed by the province, there were four civilians hurt but they were not involved in the conflict. They were just caught in the crossfire.)

Authorities said the tension in Tipo-Tipo on Tuesday stemmed from the October 21 fatal shooting of Islamic teacher and Barangay Baguindan official Nadzri Asdana Tarahin.

Followers of Tarahin were allegedly seeking revenge and have identified those responsible for the killing. The camp of the deceased individual, who was a former rebel, was supposedly planning to attack a barangay captain.

This led to a firefight near the municipal hall.

According to the military, the conflict deescalated as of 11:20 a.m. after negotiations. 

However, Dizon said firefights continued in the afternoon as some of the involved individuals were not aware of the negotiated deescalation. 

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dizon said there were no more encounters.—AOL, GMA Integrated News