7 armed group members arrested, 1 candidate, student killed in Maguindanao clash

On Saturday, May 10, seven individuals from an armed group were arrested in Maguindanao del Sur after clashes with rival partisan factions left one candidate and a student dead.

The gunmen initially exchanged fire with police and military units before surrendering when surrounded by authorities.

Moro community leaders reported on Sunday that some companions of the detained gunmen had escaped to another barangay with their weapons.

Officials confirmed that two villagers, including Emran Tumbah Mamalinta, a candidate for municipal councilor, and Alkama Kilam Maslama, a male student, were killed in the crossfire between feuding political groups.

An elderly woman was injured by stray bullets and rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Security forces seized several military rifles from the arrested gunmen, including three M16s, two .30 caliber M1 Garand rifles, an M653 rifle, and an M203 rifle with a 40 millimeter grenade launcher.

Army and police officials have ordered investigators to build strong cases against members of both groups involved in the violence.