Maguindanao task force settles ‘Rido’ anew

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 16): Maguindanao task force settles ‘Rido’ anew

Peace advocates and even Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officers cited the Maguindanao Task Force on Reconciliation and Unification (MTFRU) for its drive in settling local clan feuds or rido, saying the campaign is “revving up” constructive efforts in the province and boosting thrusts behind the Mindanao peace process.

“Sowing peace and conciliation in troubled communities is noble. We salute the people behind the MTFRU in helping transform Maguindanao, and wish them all the best,” academician Eddie Gonzales of the Zamboanga region said.

The secretariat in the MILF negotiations with the government lauded the MTFRU for fleshing out in advance in Maguindanao the intent of the Mindanao peace agenda.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, MTFRU chairman, appreciated the expressed plaudits even as he announced that MILF vice chairman for political affairs Mohagher Iqbal was set to pay him a courtesy call yesterday afternoon in Buluan town.

The governor, however, did not mention the agenda of Iqbal’s visit. But other sources said Iqbal, chairman of the MILF peace panel, could have something to do with the MTFRU operations that recently involved the role and plight of revolutionary group’s field forces.

On Wednesday, Mangudadatu and fellow MTFRU officials settled in Datu Paglas town an earlier fatal shooting of Reneeboy, son of Senior Police Officer 3 Meng Kadalim, at the residential compound of Sheikh Kaliffa Nando, chief of the MILF’s Supreme Shariah Court. Suspected in the shooting was one of Kaliffa’s children, it was learned.

“Let’s live by the teachings of Islam as exemplified by Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.). There is no substitute for peace… Maguindanao can be as good as other provinces when we do our share,” Gov. Mangudadatu told dozens of local officials and residents that witnessed the settlement rites Wednesday morning.

http://www.mb.com.ph/maguindanao-task-force-settles-rido-anew/