2 warring Maguindanao clans sign peace pact

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): 2 warring Maguindanao clans sign peace pact

Local officials of Maguindanao brokered Tuesday a peace covenant, ending a clan war in the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Lawyer Bobby Katambak, legal officer of Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, said the long-standing family feud had already left several family members dead and about 3,000 families displaced.
Upon the joint efforts of Mangudadatu and Brig. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, the commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, the Sindatok and Dimaukom clans agreed to end their dispute and vowed to cease committing violence against each other.

Katambak said the written truce was signed by elders from both families, among them members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Sindatok-Dimaukom “rido” (family feud) started last year with the murder of Datu Saudi Ampatuan Vice Mayor Anwar Sindatuk whose family blamed the Dimaukom clan.

Armed followers of the two families repeatedly figured in clashes on the highway linking Datu Saudi and Datu Piang, affecting commuters and residents.

Katambak said among the signatories of the peace deal included Datu Saudi Acting Mayor Anida Dimaukom and Municipal Councilor Jaitun Sindatuk, who sits as Sangguniang Bayan member representing the Association of Barangay Captains in the locality.

Both Mangudadatu and Carreon lauded the two clans who voted to set aside their differences and help each other restore normalcy in the municipality.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1045508