Moro clans end rido, surrender guns in Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY - Three warring Muslim clans ended a familyfeud that lasted over a decade following a peaceful settlement Wednesday at an Army base in Maguindanao. The peace deal between the feuding families of Abo and Mamalakat, Taaral and Mamaco, and Pacasma and Wadia were made possible through the joint efforts of Buldon town Mayor Abolais Manalao and 603rd Infantry Brigade under Colonel Jesus Sarsagat. All clan members, mostly from Iranun families, peacefully ended bloody armed conflict throughIslamic religious rites and the signing of peace pact that put an end to 15 years of violence. Land dispute triggered the rido (family feud). Family elders and members exchanged handshakes and embraced each other after swearing before the Holy Quran witnessed by Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and Major General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, as well as other local and military officials. The conflicts involving Abo and Mamalakat and Taaral and Mamaco started from a land dispute while Pacasma and Wadia was triggered by personal issues, said Dela Vega. Do not bring back the past animosities to prevent the conflict to escalate, he told clan members. The warring clans also surrendered weapons – four automatic rifles, a Barret sniper rifle and a 12-gauge shot gun to finally put an end to hostilities.Clan members will get livelihood assistance from the government in exchange for surrendered firearms.