(Leaders) of Guiamad and Mamalangkay clans finally sealed their 9-year old conflict by signing a peace covenant on February 28, 2016 at Sitio Baruyan, Nalapaan, Pikit, Cotabato.
“This conflict mitigation is done under the project “Building Peace in Mindanao through Public Participation in Governance” in partnership with the Conciliation Resources (C-R), a United Kingdom-based International Non-Government Organization (INGO) with funding assistance from the European Union (EU),” he explained.
“Considering the meager budget from the EU for the entire facilitation process, the UNYPAD sought financial assistance, as it traditionally do, from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Pikit and Aleosan, all of North Cotabato Province, to cope with other financial requirements, that included amount to be given to both clans for the thanksgiving or ‘Kanduli’ where all clan members are invited so that they can see themselves the contents of the peace covenant, among others,” he added.
“Aside from the rewards that we expect from Allah, UNYPAD has been doing this conflict mitigation for quite some time as we know that the achievement of the Bangsamoro freedom requires unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro,” Dr Rahib Kudto, UNYPAD President, said.
“We know that what we have been affording great support to the peace process between the government and MILF especially in the normalization component of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), he added.
Asked about whether UNYPAD shall proceed or not with its conflict mitigation work since Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) has been declared dead in the 16th Congress, he said, “We will continue this work, and we will even double our efforts.”
“This is not contingent with the BBL. UNYPAD has been in this work even before the existence of the BBL.” Kudto stressed.
“The only thing that worries me about BBL is that its death in congress may encourage Bangsamoro especially young individuals to resort to violent way,” he pointed out.
Pikit Mayor Muhyrin Sultan - Casi, in her welcome address, thanked both clans for their full cooperation as this covenant shall benefit their succeeding generations.
In his message, read for him by Norhana P. Kamid, Paul Adolfo, Project Manager of “Building Peace in Mindanao through Public Participation in Governance” project congratulated both parties for the successful resolution of the ‘rido’ or clan feud and urged everyone to keep peace moving in every one’s heart despite the fate of the BBL.
Datuan Magon, Coordinator-General of the Bantay Security Network (BSN), disclosed that there were previous attempts in resolving this conflict but they failed due to no clear road map for settlement of the conflict, no written documents were signed by both parties to attest to their unity, no trust building mechanism was established between the parties and no specific solution was made to end the conflict.
“Under the covenant signed, both parties agreed to solve the problem through peaceful means, forget the said conflict that took place involving members of their clans and forgive each other”, said Magon.
“Clan members also recognized the need to sustain the existence of core group for each clan and agreed to authorize the said core group with participation of Moro Commanders Hadji Abubakar Karim and Abdulmaula Masibpel to take necessary actions should there be problems in the future done by any members of the clans involved”; he added.
Hon. Aleosan town Mayor Vicente Surofia thanked both clans for amicably ending their feud. He also committed to bring developments in the community of Luwanan by providing electricity, farm to market road, provision of agricultural inputs and water facilities.
In his statement, Team Chairman Samad Edol thanked both Datu Sumulong and the CR for their assistance in making the mediation successful.
He said that, in the covenant, the parties appreciated and acknowledged the great importance of the conflict mitigation activity of the UNYPAD in partnership with the CR under “Building Peace in Mindanao through Public Participation in Governance,” with financial supports from the EU, Hon. Mayor Muhyryn Sultan-Casi of Pikit and Hon. Vicente Soropia of the municipality of Aleosan.
“I am also extending my thanks and appreciation to the MILF local commanders who served as our partners in this historic journey. Without your full cooperation and participation this settlement could have not been made possible,” he pointed out.
Butch Malang of MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) thanked the organizers of the activity, and urged all Bangsamoro people to be united, work hand in hand regardless of organizational affiliations and occupation in addressing this problem on ‘rido’ as it affects the communities.
The Mamalangkay-Guiamad rido that started on March 13, 2007 caused poverty, displacements, loss of lives and properties as well as illiteracy because parents cannot afford to send their children to school.
Among the guests were C-R representative, International Monitoring Team (IMT), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representative, MILF Joint Normalization Committee (JNC) representative, CCCH of both GPH and MILF, Base commanders from National Guard Front Command, 108th and 110th Base Commanders of the MILF-BIAF, MILF Ligawasan Sharia Court representative, LGUs of Pikit and Aleosan, North Cotabato provincial Board Member Hon. Kelly U. Antao, Col. Edralin of 7th IB PA, and traditional leaders.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/news/20-central-mindanao/597-unypad-facilitates-inking-of-peace-covenant-in-pikit-town
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