Basilan: The Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed relief goods to families displaced by clan violence in Tipo-Tipo town, authorities said Wednesday. Dr. Nur-Khan Istarul, provincial board member, announced that 2,500 family food packs were distributed in coordination with the provincial and municipal social welfare offices.

According to Philippines News Agency, the aid arrived Tuesday afternoon as fighting ceased between armed groups in Barangay Tipo-Tipo Proper. Initial reports indicate that 1,700 families, or about 7,000 individuals, fled their homes when lawless elements backed by some Moro Islamic Liberation Front members clashed with the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team on Tuesday.

Col. Cerrazid Umabong, provincial police director, stated that the fighting stopped Tuesday afternoon following joint intervention by the provincial government, military, police, and other sectors. “Our focus now is to assist the displaced families to return home and to restore normalcy in Tipo-Tipo,” Umabong said.

The clash, which authorities attributed to “rido” or clan feud, resulted in four people being wounded. Gov. Mujiv Hataman has engaged the Ulama Council, led by Grand Mufti Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, to strengthen peace advocacy and prevent a recurrence. “We must adhere to the true teachings of Islam,” Tarason emphasized.