PIKIT, North Cotabato -- The local government here celebrated its 66th foundation anniversary
with added ingredients never been done by previous local governments – settling
Muslim clan wars.
Mayor Muhyryn D. Sultan and Vice Mayor Don Mangansakan
spearheaded a sideline event of the foundation anniversary by bringing warring
Kaliudin at Macalugie families who have been at odds for decades.
Leaders of warring clans signed a peace covenant in the presence
of Sultan and Mangansakan as well as local police and military officials.
The Kaliudin and Macaluguie families have been fighting each
other for the past 30 years and both sides suffered fatalities.
Mayor Sultan and North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza
provided a conducive venue for the warring families, both identified with the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), to shake hands, bury the hatchet and work
together for the benefit of clan members.
”I am happy the warring families listen to our call for
peace,” Mayor Sultan said after leaders of Kaliudin and Macalugie families
swore before the Holy Quran not to engage in armed skirmishes anymore.
The Macalugie clan resides in Barangay Balibet while the
Kaliudin family lives in adjacent village
of Bulol
North Cotabato Board Member Dulia Sultan, mother of the town
mayor, lauded the former enemies, now allies, for showing peace can be attained
in Pikit, known in Mindanao as one of the most
troubled town next to Jolo.
Also involved in the peace efforts are members and officials
of United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD).
”We armed ourselves because the other clan was armed,”
Sultan Macalugie told reporters after the signing of peace covenant. “In the
process, many of our relative were killed or wounded every time clashes occur
in our village.”
”With this agreement, this conflict has ended and we
promised to work together for the betterment of our communities,” Kagi
Kaliudin, leader of Kaliudin clan, said.
Kaliudin admitted that the community they live remained poor
and underdeveloped due to armed conflict.
“We lack government service because government workers do
not come to us for fear shooting will erupt,” he said, hoping the peace
covenant and reunification of warring families will pave the way for government
basic services to reach their communities.
”It will surely happen, you will receive government basic
services such as health, education, infrastructure and electrification,” Mayor
Sultan told the reunited clans.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=810235
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