FEUD SETTLEMENT. Mayor Edna Benito of Balabagan, Lanao del Sur speaks before members of the warring families emphasizing the Army’s desire to attain peace in the locality. (Photo courtesy of 6th IB)
COTABATO CITY -- As part of its advocacy, the military’s 6th Infantry Battalion (IB) has helped prevent more bloodshed by facilitating a clan war settlement, involving Maranao families in a coastal town of Lanao del Sur.
Lt. Col. Clairemont Pinpin, 6th IB battalion commander, led the settlement on Monday - along with the Philippine National Police and the local government of Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.
The historic “rido” (family feud) settlement between the Jamison and Magaluyan families was held at the Balabagan town hall after a series of negotiations initiated by the Army.
“As a public servant, you should be fair in serving the people, Muslims and Christians will have the same weight in my shoulder as far as peace is concerned,” Balabagan Mayor Edna Benito said.
“I appreciate the military’s initiative of bringing together in a table of peace warring families in Balabagan,” she added in the vernacular.
The 6th IB, through 1st Lt. Elvis Dela Cruz, the unit’s Bravo Company commander, facilitated the settlement and emphasized that armed and “violent conflicts injure not only the economic and social life of the community but the precious human lives are being sacrificed as well.”
“Also, it is a hindrance to the political and spiritual development of the community,” Dela Cruz said.
Benito said the armed conflict involving the warring families had already claimed lives from both sides when it could have been avoided and preserved.
Present during the peace covenant were elders of the Jamison and Magaluyan families, who vowed to never use violence again in settling their misunderstanding.
Since most of them are related by blood and by affinity, the warring families appointed an elder, a Muslim religious leader, as mediator whenever conflict or misunderstanding erupts in the future. (PNA)
