Philippines - One person died while two others were wounded when some 40 “breakaway” members of the religious sect Moncadista, stormed Barangay New Israel in Makilala town, North Cotabato, at 12:05 midnight, January 1, reportedly with bolos and other bladed weapons.
Sr. Insp. Leo Ajero, Makilala chief of police, identified the victim as Andres Alburo, while the wounded were only identified as alias Jun and Dennis, former members of the Moncadista based in the barangay.
Ajero told DXND Radio for Peace that the group was led by a certain Felicisima Galope, who broke away from the Moncadista and created her own roup with 41 members.
Galope’s roup allegedly tried to convince the other members of the Moncadista who are residents of Barangay New Israel, to join them.
“Some of the group members, armed with bladed weapons, entered the houses of the residents, urging the people to join them,” Ajero said.
Members of the 39th Infantry Battalion and Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) tried to block Galope’s group but they were also attacked by the suspects, repors said.
This prompted one of the CVOs to shoot the three approaching suspects.
Makilala PNP and CVO’s rushed to the area after receiving a radio call from the 39th Infantry Battalion detachment based there.
Galope’s group reportedly fled the area upon seeing policemen and paramilitary elements approaching but eight of them were arrested during he pursuit operations. They are now detained at the Makilala PNP detention cell.