After weeks of negotiations, local officials and the military facilitated the resolution of a rido (family feud) involving three clans in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, on Tuesday.
Mayor Abdillah “Abs” Mamasabulod and his father, Councilor Salik Mamasabulod, spearheaded the peace covenant signing between the families of Datu Ting Matalam, Ustadz Norodin Abubacar, and the Enod Guialil brothers. The decades-old conflict stemmed from land and territorial disputes.
“This marks another milestone in fostering unity and peace in the community. The reconciliation symbolizes the triumph of forgiveness, which paved the way to end the long-standing conflict between the parties,” Mayor Mamasabulod said Wednesday.
Police, led by town police chief Capt. Datumasla Mangalangkat, and officers of the Army’s 40th Infantry Battalion witnessed the covenant.
Former enemies, now calling themselves “family friends,” swore on the Holy Qur’an not to resort to violence and vowed to help improve peace and order in their communities.
Mamasabulod said the settlement is expected to ensure peaceful parliamentary elections in the town on October 13.
