Members of the Philippine Marines have been deployed
Wednesday in the coastal villages of Datu Blah Sinsuat town in Maguindanao to
serve as peacekeepers between warring members of the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF).
The MILF, which entered into a peace deal with Manila
Involved in the shooting conflict were leaders of MILF
locked in a long standing “rido” (family feud) over territorial claims in the
villages of Meta and Senepak, coastal
barangays of Datu Blah Sinsuat, according to town Mayor Marshal Sinsuat.
”The area is now safe, displaced families have started to
return home,” Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade
based in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, a town next to Datu Blah Sinsuat.
”We have deployed forces there in coordinating with the
government and MILF ceasefire mechanism,” he said.
He said soldiers respect the MILF because of the peace
agreement and the MILF also reciprocated the military stance. “So normalcy is
returning to the two barangays,” Salamat said, adding “we came there to bring
peaceful settlement, not to engage the MILF.”
Sinsuat said the municipal social welfare office has been
attending to the needs of about 120 families displaced by armed conflict.
Some families refused to return home while others braved the
situation assured that the Marines will protect them in their communities.
Without naming the leader of two MILF factions, Sinsuat said
both sides have agreed to a peaceful settlement of misunderstanding last month
and ensured the safety of civilians.
“We already settled this problem in a peaceful dialogue last
November, but sadly they are at it again,” Sinsuat said.
“It was a long standing ‘rido’ involving leaders of two
warring MILF groups,” he said.
He said his office has sought the intervention of the
government and MILF ceasefire panels “so the civilians can return to their
respective communities.”
He also appealed to warring MILF leaders, who happened to be
related by blood, to disengage and allow peaceful solution of their
misunderstanding.
“We asked both of you to disengage and settle your
differences diplomatically,” Sinsuat told warring MILF fighters through Radio
Station DXMS-AM.
“Have pity on the civilians who have been evicted from their
communities where their livelihood is located,” he said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=836400
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