CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Aug 14 (PNA) — The Philippine National Police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) today announced the peaceful resolution of clan wars in Maguindanao which were realized through negotiations.
ARMM officials, led by Rgional Gov. Mujiv Hataman, have been pushing for settlement of clan wars as a means to reach development in areas deprived of improvement due to peace and order problem.
Chief Supt. Ronald R. Estilles, PNP-ARMM regional director, said four clan wars in Maguindanao have been settled which aims to eradicate “rido” or family feud.
The term “rido” means clan war for Maranaws and Iranuns of Lanao Del Sur and Maguindanao province and considered as one among the big issues in its area of responsibility.
Estilles said seven feuding Iranun clans clashed at Poblacion 1 and Public Market of Parang, Maguindanao last week.
To avoid the escalation and proliferation of encounter, police personnel were deployed to neutralize and pacify the situation.
With its main function of maintaining peace and order, the PNP-ARMM leadership through the support of Iranun mayors, Community Leaders of Iranun Development Council, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other peace stakeholder initiated peace dialogue with the involved families.
That dialogue led seven feuding families to formally signed a ceasefire agreement to avoid another encounter in the future.
The symbolic signing was witnessed by the Iranun Mayors, Members of Iranun Development Council (IDC), military,media and relatives of the involved families.
Estilles lauded the participation of local officials of the towns of Parang, Buldon, Matanog and Barira.
The PRO ARMM leadership reiterates to the public that it will boost its efforts to minimize “rido” issues in ARMM.
In Basilan, warring clans in the town of Lantawan also signed a peace deal to end decades-old conflict that already claimed lives from both sides.
Estilles said the families of Majindi and Ibrahim who have been locked in a long standing clan war signed a peace agreement at the Basilan provincial police office in Isabela City Thursday.
Gov. Hataman was present during the signing.
Basilan Police Provincial Director Supt. Oscar Nantes, initiated the peaceful dialogue between warring families with the help of Lantawan town officials.
Nantes said the peace document was signed by Julhambri and Alam, both leaders of the Majindis and Ibrahim clans in the presence of Hataman.
Hataman lauded Nantes and the police officials in the province and in the region for bringing the warring clans to the negotiating table because it will save life and push peace and development efforts of his administration.
Early this month, three warring clans in Sumisip town, also in Basilan, signed a peace agreement ending years of bloody conflict. (PNA)