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Because of the renewed clashes, the police says it is declaring Malabang town in Lanao del Sur as an election hotspot
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Just days before the start of filing of candidacies for the 2025 elections, a bloody clan war erupted overnight in Malabang town in Lanao del Sur, resulting in two killed and four wounded and forcing authorities to deploy nine police security teams and back up army personnel to quell the violence.
The calm in the village of Sitio Lati, Barangay Bacayawan was shattered by the sound of gunfire as a longstanding clan feud between Al Rashid Abdul and Asnor Macud blew up.
Lanao del Sur is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The national and local, and BARMM elections will be held on May 12, 2025.
A source privy to both camps and a resident of the said area, who refused to be identified for security reasons, told Kutangbato News that the clash was an offshoot of a 2019 elections rift and was reignited two weeks ago.
“Last night until this morning was intense, leaving hundreds of residents startled and some were forced to evacuate, we hope the authorities will help pacify them,” the resident said.
Major Salahuddin Basher, spokesperson of Lanao Del Sur Police, said two persons killed were still unidentified.
The four wounded were Ansary Didic, 71 years old, Hamdanie Ibrahim, 42, and both residents of Bacayawan, Malabang, Lanao Del Sur.
Also hurt were Jemar Abdul and Esmail Abdul both identified as residents of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Del Norte.
As clashes boiled over just a week before the registration of candidates for the 2025 elections, Basher said Malabang town is eyed as one of their identified election hot spots for the upcoming elections.
“As of noon time today, the clashes have settled down, We have sent nine police teams from the provincial, regional and local police forces and our provincial commander and handling police conference at this time”, Major Basher said in a phone interview.
Army troops are also sending their armored vehicles and men to back up the police.
Every election, Malabang town has been considered a hot spot area due to intense political rivalries and clan wars. – Rappler.com
