Two Killed in Sultan Kudarat as Security Forces Clash with Armed Groups

ISULAN, SULTAN KUDARAT — Two armed individuals were killed in a clash with police and military forces in a village in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, amid rising tensions from a brewing clan conflict, the Army reported.

According to Philippines News Agency, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, the incident occurred on Monday when security forces were dispatched in response to civilian reports of a feud involving armed Moro families in Barangay Lagandang. The confrontation led to the deaths of two men, identities yet to be determined, who resisted the authorities’ attempt to enter the village. The area has seen increased hostilities, prompting civilians to flee due to the violent dispute between factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Vallescas noted the significant impact of the violence on local residents, stating that the community has suffered from displacement. During the operation, government forces seized an array of military-grade weapons, including two Barrett rifles, two M16 rifles, an M60 machine gun, a 60 mm mortar tube with a launchpad, a .22-caliber rifle, and an M79 grenade launcher, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Navarrete, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, emphasized the objective of the operation was to disarm and arrest members of armed groups who have been causing distress among civilians. He reiterated the government’s commitment to uphold the law, regardless of the parties involved, and reminded all factions of the existing ceasefire agreements.