Army helps end 20-year bloody clan war in Maguindanao

SETTLED. Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc (right in fatigue uniform), 33rd IB commander and Lieutenant Colonel Lauro Oliveros, 1st Mechanized IB commander (left in fatigue uniform), help Muslim warring clans end their decades-old “rido” (family feud) in Gen. S.K. Pendatun, Maguindanao. (Photo by 33rd IB/PNA)

GENERAL SALIPADA K. PENDATUN, Maguindanao – The military facilitated here Friday the settlement of a 20-year-old clan war that has claimed the lives of a dozen persons from both sides.

The feud settlement was historic and timely as it came during the Eid’l Fitr or the end of fasting month of Ramadhan on Friday, said Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion.

Cabunoc, along with local stakeholders, helped broker the peaceful settlement between the families of Guiamadel Sinumagan, 50, and Castro Mohammad, 47, both of Midpandacan village, upon their request.

“I would like to help in settling all disputes that had claimed numerous lives. Ridos are drivers of armed conflicts that pave the way for the rise of violent extremism in Central Mindanao,” Cabunoc said.

Teary-eyed, Guiamadel said he was very grateful for the efforts of the military in helping them bring about peace in their community. “I am tired fighting against blood relatives and fellow Muslims.

We need to give a brighter future for our children,” Guiamadel shared.

Mohammad, village chair of Midpandacan, for his part, shared Guiamadel’s sentiment, saying they have been desiring for peace for so long.

“As the newly elected village chairman, I will serve you all faithfully. Let us put all these bad memories behind us,” he said.

Held in a makeshift waiting shed beside an abandoned school, the “rido” settlement was also witnessed by Lieutenant Colonel Lauro Oliveros, commanding officer of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Gen. SK Pendatun Vice Mayor Salman Kali, and local Muslim religious leader Datu Bimbo Ali.

Military officials have helped settled two big family feuds over the past several months, in which the warring clans turned over five high powered firearms that include one .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, an M-14 rifle, and three Garand rifles.