MILITARY officials foresee that the delivery of government services coupled with economic development are set to take place in several areas in the hinterlands of Basilan province.
This, as the military and local leaders have recently facilitated the settlement of a 47-year feud among residents of the municipalities of Tipo-Tipo and Albarka and Lamitan City in Basilan.
Lieutenant Colonel Ivan San Jose, Army's 18th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander, said the longstanding conflict among residents of the villages of Bohe Tambak, Bohe Lebbung, Bohe Baca of Tipo-Tipo and Cambug, Kailih of Albarka and Parang Basak of Lamitan City crippled the delivery of basic government services and the economy and education in the affected villages.
"More than a hundred lives perished due to the conflict that finally ended, thus, contributing to our peace, security, and development efforts in Basilan," said San Jose, who facilitated the settlement of conflict.
He said the warring groups agreed to end their conflict without financial compensation or blood money.
Brigadier General Fernando Reyeg, Joint Task Force Basilan commander, and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman witnessed the Rideo settlement, which was held at the headquarters of the Army's 18th IB.
Also present during the settlement of conflict were representatives of Albarka and Tipo-Tipo municipal, as well as Lamitan City governments; members of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council; and Dr. Arlyn Jumao-as, founder of the Save the Children of War Foundation.
Reyeg expressed gratitude and appreciation, especially to those primarily involved in the conflict, for allowing at their own freewill for peace to finally reign in their communities.
Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chiefg, said "by ending their personal feuds, the constituents of Basilan prove they are willing to lend a helping hand in our security and development efforts."
"This is crucial in ending armed struggles as the security forces move to disarm p
47-year-old Basilan villages feud settledrivate groups and end local armed conflicts in the area," Sobejana said. (SunStar Philippines)