[MindaNews] Elections are over and life should return to normal but not in Talitay, a town of about 14,000 Moro inhabitants, many of whom have fled after a long standing rido (clan feud) was rekindled due to politics. At least four persons have been reported killed.Involved in the rido are the Sabal and Buisan families, both of whom have relatives and supporters in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front. The town center has become like a ghost town after residents fled due to clashes between armed followers of the two families on Saturday afternoon.
Talitay police chief Freddie Solar said, "Killings started a day before election and vengeance counter attacks followed. The residents knew it was going to be big hostilities since both have armed followers affiliated with Moro fronts," adding that both sides have been massing its forces around the town center.
"The situation is deteriorating, tension is high so we urged the people, especially the children to move to safer grounds," he said.
Solar said the Muslim Council of Elders and representatives from the MILF have been mediating for the declaration of a ceasefire.