FOUR clans have ended years of dispute with the intercession of the military and local government officials in Maguindanao.
Settlement agreements were reached between the Aragasi and Mimbisa clans and between the Pacasmo and Macabangon clans on Monday, March 4, in the village of Oring, Buldon through the efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Go, Army’s
37th Infantry Battalion commnander, and Buldon Mayor Abolais Manalao.
Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said the dispute between the Aragasis and the Mimbisas ended after 67 years with two casualties, while the dispute between the Pacasmos and the Macabangons ended after five years with one casualty from the Pacasmo clan.
The settlement also led to the turnover of three M1 Caliber 30 Garand rifles and
an M16A1 rifle.
The settlement, which is expected to bring peace to Buldon town, was witnessed by more or less 350 members of the feuding clans, Buldon Vice Mayor Cairudin Pangunutan, policemen, and Uztadz Yusoph Palawan.
Major General Cirilito Sobejana, Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, commended the 37th Infantry Battalion troops for promoting peace and unity in the community.
“The secret to attaining peace in life is through communication and understanding. If you want to make peace, you have to work with your enemy and to cultivate peace and harmony with all,” Sobejana said.
“We will strengthen our resolve to mediate clan wars and to pacify armed struggles between organized groups in our area of operation. This is to end decades-long strife that affects the lives and the well-being of the people of Mindanao,” Lieutenant General Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief, said. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)