ZAMBOANGA CITY ? Four persons were wounded as fighting broke out Tuesday in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan province, with the 101st Infantry Brigade saying the incident is a violence between “local parties” which forced 7,000 persons to leave their homes.

Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman told ANC out of the four injured, one is in serious condition and was brought to a hospital in this city.

It was not also clear whether they are among the protagonists.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the situation is under control and Hataman said the attackers were slowly withdrawing from the area.

The fighting broke out around 7 a.m. Tuesday in Barangay Poblacion as armed men entered the municipality and allegedly wanted to avenge the death of an individual. Fighting ensued but were quelled a few hours later.

'' The Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities and the Provincial Government of Basilan facilitating dialogue and escalation,'' said a statement by the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.

In a joint statement released earlier Tuesday by the Basilan provincial government said the incident is linked to the killing of Nadzri Tarahin, a Islamic teacher and a councilor in Barangay Baguindan on October 21.

Tarahin was shot and killed at a bus terminal in Barangay Malinis, Lamitan City. DMS