2 dead, 3 hurt in Maguindanao Sur clash of rival groups

A violent clash between two rival Moro groups in Barangay Panadtaban, Radjah Buayan town, Maguindanao del Sur, resulted in two fatalities and three injuries on Thursday afternoon. The incident involved the groups led by Utap Bontok and Norodin Utto, former barangay chairman and a scion of a prominent local clan, respectively.

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the incident, which triggered panic among villagers, involved the groups of Utap Bontok and Norodin Utto, former barangay chairman in Panadtaban.

Local police and military officials confirmed the gunfight, which caused panic among villagers. The deceased were identified as Jeboy Balutintik and King Utto, followers of Norodin Utto. Three of Bontok's men, Prits and Terrie Abubakar, and Albassir Utto, sustained bullet wounds. Relatives of Bontok reportedly engaged Utto's group after hearing the gunshots, leading to the fatalities.

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Relatives of Bontok, after hearing the gunshots that reverberated through the barangay, proceeded to the area when they were attacked by the group of Utto and traded shots with them, killing Balutintik and King on the spot.

Sources indicated that the conflict stems from long-standing squabbles over control of strategic areas within Barangay Panadtaban and surrounding agricultural lands. The hostility reportedly intensified following support for rival candidates in the May 12, 2025 municipal elections. The region has a history of such disputes, with two of Utto's close relatives previously killed in separate attacks.

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the two groups are locked in squabbles for control of strategic areas in Barangay Panadtaban and in Moro agricultural enclaves around.