PICONG, Lanao del Sur — Terror gripped residents of Sitio Barupit in Barangay Pindolonan after a long-running family feud or “rido” exploded into a fierce and bloody gun battle Tuesday afternoon, May 19, leaving five civilians wounded, including two women and a 13-year-old student.
What began as simmering tension between two rival families quickly descended into chaos as gunfire echoed across the village for nearly 40 minutes, turning the remote community into what terrified residents described as a “war zone.”
According to the Philippine National Police through the Picong Municipal Police Station (MPS), the violence erupted around 3:30 p.m. following an earlier shooting incident in the same area involving the son-in-law of Samad Atil Saripada, a farmer identified as one of the leaders of the opposing camp.
Investigators said responding authorities had initially proceeded to the area after reports of the first shooting. However, shortly after the police and military personnel left, heavily armed men allegedly lay in wait and opened fire on residents believed to be allied with Saripada’s group using still unidentified high-powered firearms.
The rival camp allegedly retaliated, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire that endangered civilians caught in the middle of the crossfire.
Residents reportedly scrambled for cover as bullets tore through the community. Several families hid inside their homes while others fled to safer areas amid fears the violence could escalate further.
Five civilians were struck by stray bullets during the exchange and were immediately rushed by their relatives to the Dr. Serapio Montañer Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment.
Police identified the wounded as Nassir Alampa Maruhom, who sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of the abdomen; 18-year-old Amrex Ali Saripada, who was hit in the forehead; Kalalaga Alampa Sultan, who suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of the neck; Ashia Alampa Saripada, 40, who was wounded in the right thigh; and a 13-year-old student identified only as “Aisha,” who sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg.
Authorities said the bloodshed stemmed from an ongoing conflict between the two families, highlighting the continuing threat posed by unresolved clan feuds in parts of Lanao del Sur.
Following the incident, joint forces from the Picong MPS, the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, and the 51st Infantry Battalion “Alpha” Company of the Philippine Army immediately launched hot pursuit and dragnet operations against the suspects who fled toward the mountainous areas of Pualas, Lanao del Sur.
Authorities identified the nine suspects now being hunted as Jamel Saripada Macabanding, Naongko M. Alampa, Rasa M. Alampa, Raki M. Alampa, Salamat M. Alampa, Toks M. Alampa, Piyangni Alampa, Samin M. Alampa, and Omair M. Alampa — all reportedly married farmers and residents of Barangay Pindolonan.
All remain at large as of this writing.
Police said they continue to monitor the area closely to prevent retaliatory attacks and further violence between the rival groups.
The Investigation Section of the Picong MPS is now conducting a deeper probe into the incident while preparing the filing of appropriate criminal charges against those identified in the deadly clash.
The latest violence once again underscores the persistent problem of armed clan conflicts in some parts of Mindanao, where deeply rooted family rivalries continue to claim innocent victims and place entire communities under constant fear.