More troops sent to Datu Piang to contain violence

A feud between two warring political families in southern Maguindanao province is considered behind the bomb blast that killed 16 people, including the mayor of Datu Piang town, on Tuesday as the military ordered more troops into the area to prevent an escalation of violence.

Authorities are trying to determine some of the fatalities in Datu Piang which also killed town mayor Saudie Ampatuan, councillor Rodolfo Wahab and 12 others.

Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, died from injuries sustained when an improvised bomb made from a mortar shell exploded during a party he was hosting in his house. Some of the bodies were severely mangled and police have difficulty in identifying them. At least 10 others were seriously injured.

The military earlier identified the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as possible culprit in the attack but the group's spokesman Eid Kabalu, in a telephone interview with Gulf News, denied the accusation, saying the latest rash of violence in Maguindanao could be the result of a feud between the political powerful Ampatuan and Andalin clans.

He said the bomb attack on Tuesday could likely be related to an earlier rash of violence in Cotabato City where the brother of the slain mayor, Hoffer Ampatuan, was killed in a shootout at a disco on Saturday.

Saturday's incident happened in a disco pub where over100 people watched a bikini contest. Aside from Hoffer Ampatuan, also killed were Cotabato City assessor Jerry Andalin and businesswoman Marlene Chi.

It was not clear what started the firefight, but Sangacala Dampac, city police chief, said Hoffer's wife had a heated argument with the woman who was killed. On Sunday, gunmen identified with the Ampatuan clan allegedly ambushed the father and brother of the slain Andalin, raising the fatalities to five.

In anticipation of an escalation of violence, the military has ordered additional troops to be sent to Datu Piang. Earlier, parliament member Didagen Dilangalen of Maguindanao asked for more soldiers to secure the province.

The Ampatuan clan has also urged the military to increase its presence in the area to thwart further violence.

Major Julieto Ando, army 6th infantry division spokesperson, said there was "laxity" in the police's implementation of some laws that could have prevented Saturday's bloodbath that started the violence.

He said police should have strictly enforced the ban on bringing firearms inside establishments.
"If only their firearms were deposited at the counter of the club, the bloodbath could have been avoided," Ando stressed.

Dilangalen said the military, especially the Marines, should be again allowed to put up checkpoints in Cotabato City.

On Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema's order, Marines in the city packed up and vacated their posts early this year. The Congressman believes the police cannot ensure peace and order in the city on their own.