CAMP SK PENDATUN, Philippines (PNA) — Police authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have deployed peacekeepers in a coastal town in Lanao del Sur to prevent a brewing rido (family feud) from escalating.

Chief Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, ARMM police regional director, said the family feud has already displaced hundreds of families.

People involved are the heavily armed families of Malabang Vice Mayor Anwar Balindong and his half-brother Vice Mayor Ali Nader Balindong of adjacent town of Picong, also in Lanao del Sur.

Last week, policemen and soldiers have prevented commuters from passing the Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway, the road network that connects Cotabato City to Marawi City or Pagadian City, as followers of the Balindongs have been trading mortar rounds a kilometer away from the national highway.

A civilian was hit by stray bullets and died. Work animals such as cows and water buffaloes were also killed by stray bullets.

Police have received reports that residents have long wanted to leave the communities because the "rido" pose danger even to their religious rights.

Citing report from the field, Latag said the warring clans clashed near the Mosque sending believers to flee and failed to pray five times a day.

Both vice mayors were brothers of Lanao del Sur Rep. Ali Pangalian Balindong and sons of the late Sultan Amer Balindong, the former mayor of Malabang.

Affected residents have appealed for government assistance the temporary shelter.

About 1,000 individuals from villages near the areas controlled by both warring groups are now temporarily housed in various evacuation centers.

Latag said the presence of police peacekeepers have mellowed down the conflict but still residents refused to return home for fear the rido would erupt anew.