ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Four armed men were killed and several civilians were believed wounded Sunday in a shootout between two warring clans in Hadji Mohammad Ajul (HMA), Basilan.

The violence also caused residents to flee their homes to avoid the crossfire.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows), said the armed encounter between followers of former Barangay Langil Chair Almujir Camlian and Mayor Talib Pawaki occurred around 9 a.m. Sunday.

Police authorities who responded to the scene recovered the bodies of Addahang Abdulla of Barangay Buton; Hajarani H. Maha, a barangay kagawad from Barangay Langil; Jul-Asbi Misuari of Barangay Langil and Jun Awang also from Barangay Langil, all located in HMA, Basilan province.

Police also recovered assault firearms used by the clans and various ammunition and spent casings.

Luzon said the heavy exchange of gunfire triggered panic among villagers, forcing numerous families to evacuate their homes.

Police investigators conducting an initial inquiry found that Barangay Chairwoman Amna Camlian Pawaki, 43, along with Abdulla, Maha and other barangay officials, were establishing a perimeter fence at the school premises intended for use as polling centers for Monday’s elections.

According to the police report, Abdulla and Maha noticed a suspicious individual at a nearby house. When they attempted to identify the person inside, they were allegedly fired upon without provocation, resulting in their immediate deaths.

HMA Mayor Talib Pawaki, who was near his residence, rushed to the area to secure his wife, who was caught in the firefight.

Multiple exchanges of gunfire ensued between followers of former Barangay Langil Chair Camlian and Mayor Pawaki’s group, resulting in the deaths of Misuari and Awang.

Police said Camlian’s followers managed to escape towards the mountainous area of Mount Liyang in Barangay Langil.

Approximately 54 spent casings for an M16 rifle were recovered at the scene, and two M16 rifles were found near the bodies of Misuari and Awang.

The bodies of Misuari and Awang were immediately claimed by their families for burial rites in accordance with Muslim customs and traditions.

Police are currently conducting hot pursuit operations against Camlian’s group, and an investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the incident and identify the remaining suspects who fled.