AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. Mayor Sumulong Sultan (2nd from left) of Pikit, North Cotabato, speaks with one of the leaders of warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front commanders to stop hostilities brought about by family feuds on Wednesday (Aug. 23, 2023). The infighting resulted in the evacuation (inset) of some 100 families in Barangay Nabalawag. (Photo courtesy of Pikit MPS)
COTABATO CITY – State forces and local officials in Maguindanao del Sur and North Cotabato provinces facilitated Wednesday the mediation for warring Moro clans whose members had been involved in a series of clashes, the military said.
In Maguindanao del Sur, Brig. Gen. Oriel Pangcog, the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade commander, said the two warring families in Barangay Sapakan, Mamasapano town belonged to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who have been at odds over land.
“They have ceased firing at each other,” Pangcog said in a statement Thursday. “The evacuees have slowly returned home.”
The infighting among MILF field commanders erupted on Wednesday dawn and lasted the whole day as sporadic skirmishes sent more than 35 families fleeing to safer grounds.
However, Pangcog said they are verifying reports that armed men involved in the conflict had been threatening the returning civilians.
He said the Army will send more troops backed by armored personnel carriers to restore normalcy in the affected village.
Separate MILF infighting
In North Cotabato, clashes were reported in Pikit town involving MILF commanders Kutong Talutan and Ato Abas whose members traded shots and mortars in Barangay Nabundas early this week.
Maj. Arvin Cambang, Pikit police chief, said the two sides were involved in the long-standing “rido” (family feud) since last year.
More than 100 families fled to safer grounds as the skirmishes were unfolding Wednesday.
Cambang said both sides agreed to a ceasefire after Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan mediated a peaceful settlement.
On Thursday morning, Cambang said the evacuees returned home after being given assurance that soldiers were deployed in their village to serve as peacekeepers.
Loose firearms surrender
Meanwhile, in another development on Wednesday, local officials in two towns in Maguindanao del Sur turned over a total of 31 more loose firearms to the military in support of the government’s Balik Baril Program.
In Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun town, local officials surrendered 24 assorted high-powered firearms, including two homemade Barrett sniper rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and ammunition.
Mayor Rafsanjani Ali presented the firearms to Lt. Col. Jayson Domingo, commanding officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, during surrender rites at the government town center.
In Sultan sa Barongis town, officials led by Mayor Allandatu Angas Sr. also handed over unlicensed guns and explosives to Domingo and Santos during a program at the municipal hall grounds.
To date, more than 100 loose firearms have been collected by the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in its area of operation in Maguindanao Sur, Maguindanao Norte, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and parts of Sarangani and Lanao del Sur. (PNA)
