Two alleged members of an armed group were killed in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

According to the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), police and military troops were responding to a “rido” or clan war in Barangay Lagandang when they were allegedly fired upon.

Government forces retaliated, which resulted in the death of the two individuals.

The military said the tension and violence caused by the clan war between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the area has escalated and displaced civilians in the community.

6ID Commander, Major General Antonio Nafarrete, said the law enforcement operation conducted by the police and the military aimed to disarm and arrest the armed groups that allegedly harassed the community.

“We have emphasized that no one is above the law, and we will enforce that to all armed groups. These include the peace inclined groups like the MILF and MNLF,” Nafarrete said.

“We remind them to strictly follow the provision set forth by the GPH and MILF CCCH with regard to the use and bringing our firearms outside their identified camps. The peace and security of the communities here in South and South-Central Mindanao are our foremost responsibility hence we are committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing clan wars or “rido” in our area of responsibility,” Nafarrete added.

After the incident, authorities seized two Barret rifles, two M16 rifles, M60 machine guns, 60 mm mortar, caliber .22 rifle, M203 tube, and several ammunition.