7 killed in Kidapawan City, Cotabato clash —PRO12

Seven people were killed in a firefight in Barangay Malinan, Kidapawan City, Cotabato on Monday, according to the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) on Tuesday.

Based on a police report, a survivor said that armed men fired at their group.

The police said the seven individuals who died in the incident were reportedly residents of Cotabato City and had stayed in Kidapawan since August 8.

Police have yet to divulge the cause of the clash.

Authorities interviewed members of the Government of the Philippines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group (CCCH-AHJAG) for the investigation.

The widow of one of the victims, community leaders, and Muslim leaders were also interviewed.

GMA News Online has sought information from the Philippine Army on the incident but the military said the matter was a law enforcement operation.

According to Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala, the incident was possibly related to a “rido” or land dispute.—AOL, GMA Integrated News