Two warring MILF groups in Maguindanao reconcile

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur – Police and military authorities here successfully reconciled two warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) groups in this town on Wednesday.

Col. John Michael Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police director, initiated the dialogue.

Police, the Army, local officials, and representatives of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces jointly sought to end the family feud, or ‘rido,’ prevent further clashes, and secure a lasting, peaceful resolution.

“The long-standing rivalry between the two groups had escalated into armed confrontations,” Mangahis said in an interview Thursday.

He added that the recent clashes also forced 100 families to flee the villages of Barangays Malingao and Lapok. Sporadic skirmishes over the past two weeks left a child dead from a stray bullet and another man wounded.

Mangahis lauded Bro Abid of the MILF 105th Base Command and Samad Simpal of MILF 118th Base Command for coming to support the peace efforts.

Authorities emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order, exercising maximum restraint, avoiding retaliation, and resolving disputes through peaceful and lawful means.

Anwar Emblawa, executive assistant to Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Mitra Ampatuan, said the local government unit (LGU) is now addressing the needs of affected families, and financial aid has been extended to the families of slain and wounded civilians.

“Mayor Mitra Ampatuan is actively supporting all peace efforts because the beneficiaries of this program are his constituents who have longed for peace,” Emblawa said in a separate interview Thursday.

He stressed that the continued commitment of Shariff Aguak LGU and its peace partners is essential to preventing violent confrontation and achieving lasting peace, security, and stability in town.

Meanwhile, five members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Karialan faction surrendered to authorities here Wednesday, turning in two rocket-propelled grenades during surrender rites at the town police station.

Maj. Joel Lebrilla, the municipal police chief, said the surrenderers grew tired of the futile armed struggle and wanted to live normal lives with their families.

--Philippine News Agency