Picong: Police authorities are hunting down members of two warring clans involved in skirmishes in Picong, Lanao del Sur, resulting in the death of one person embroiled in a clan war and the wounding of five civilians caught in the crossfire.

According to Philippines News Agency, the hostilities erupted after a public utility vehicle driver was shot dead by a firearm-wielding neighbor in Barangay Pindolonan, Picong at about 12:30 p.m. Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the victim as Aiman Absarani Gunda, 27, and the suspect as Jamel Saripada Macabanding, 27.

Salanguit stated that Gunda was attacked by Macabanding using an M-16 rifle, resulting in Gunda's immediate death. The suspect, Macabanding, fled the scene quickly after the attack, as reported in a radio interview.

A few hours following the initial incident, a firefight erupted between the relatives of Gunda and Macabanding, who are neighbors. The confrontation lasted for about 45 minutes and resulted in the injury of five civilians.

The wounded civilians are currently receiving medical treatment at Dr. Serapio Monta±er Memorial Hospital in Malabang, Lanao del Sur. The Picong municipal police station personnel continue to conduct further investigations and are preparing appropriate charges against those involved in the armed hostilities.