Armed group attack displaces Maguindanao Norte families

General Santos City — At least 160 families and counting forcibly flee their homes at dawn Sunday as 200 armed group attacked a sitio in Barangay Labungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat Maguindanao del Norte.

Barangay Labungan chairperson Murad Campong in an interview Monday disclosed that the armed group stormed Sitio Tubaran and indiscriminately shooting the houses of the affected civilians.

He added that the attack resulted to the wounding of a civilian and carting away of numerous livestock from the residents. The suspects immediately fled after the incident.

The village chairperson also disclosed that the terrified civilians trooped the barangay hall and sought the assistance of the local officials. The wounded civilian was immediately rushed to the hospital and aid from the local government unit of Datu Odin were distributed to the affected families.

Campong, however, did not reveal who might be the perpetrators while local police authorities and members of the Philippine Army were already dispatched.

Over at General Santos City, state troops from the 40th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army has scored a victory against Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group in a chance encounter in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.