Army efforts end 15-year-old Moro clan wars

From the Philippine News Agency (May 18): Army efforts end 15-year-old Moro clan wars

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Three warring Moro clans in Maguindanao “smoke the pipe of peace” Thursday in an Army-led reconciliation effort, ending 15 years of bloody skirmishes.

Major General Arnel dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, gathered the warring families during lunchtime where they signed a peace deal not to use violence against each other.

Capt. John Arvin Encinas, 6th ID spokesperson, said the warring families signed the peace deal and vowed before the Holy Qu’ran never to use force again.

The settlement of “rido” (family feud) between the Abo and Mamalakat families, Taaral and Mamaco families, and Pacasma and Wadia families came after Buldon town Mayor Abolais Manalao and Colonel Jesus Sarsagat successfully convinced the protagonists to “bury the hatchet for the sake of their children.”

It took at least three months for the Army talking separately to all protagonists one at a time.

It was the first time in the past 15 years that the six Moro families came to see eye-to-eye, exchanged handshakes and hugs after swearing before the Holy Qur’an.

Encinas said the conflict between the Abo and Mamalakat and Taaral and Mamaco families stemmed from ownership of a vast track of land in Buldon while the Pacasma and Wadia clans' rivalry was triggered by personal issues.

The effort to end the dispute that claimed an undetermined number of lives from both sides was also initiated by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu.

“Do not bring back your past animosities to prevent the conflict to escalate,” Dela Vega told Muslims leaders, mostly from the Iranun tribe,

“The future generations of the warring clans will be more affected if the conflict will remain unresolved,” he added.

Mangudadatu also lauded the efforts of the local government of Buldon and the military officials to bring the three warring families to settlement.

To show their sincerity, the “reunited” families, who are related by affinity, surrendered assorted firearms that included M-15, M-16 and M1 Garand rifles with ammunition.

Mangudadatu said in exchange for the surrendered firearms, the families will receive livelihood assistance from the Maguindanao agriculture office.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/988907