Army Facilitates Peace Covenant Signing to Feuding Clans in Lanao del Sur

By JONG CADION

A simple program was

conducted during the

signing of Peace Covenant 

(Photo provided)

MALABANGA, Lanao del Sur – No more worries and panic among the motorists from Pagadian City going to Cotabato City and vice versa passing along the area of Narciso Ramos Highway in the Municipality of Malabang, Lanao del Sur after the warring families assurance of peace and order following their successful signing of peace covenant recently initiated by the soldiers of 51^st Infantry Battalion thru its Battalion Commander Lt Col Ceasar Marlon M Yadao.

Among the most common problems in the province of Lanao del Sur particularly along the stretch of Narciso Ramos Highway at Brgy Diamaru in Malabang town is the occurrence of RIDO or family feuds which also refers to any disagreement that arises between persons or subgroups in which the alleged rights of one party are claimed to be infringed, interfered with, and denied by other party causing unnecessary loss of lives, destruction of properties and panic among innocent civilians passing along the area. 

During the signing of Pease 

Covenant Initiated and by led

by the 51^st IB commander Lt

Col. Yadao. (Photo provided)

To address the rising problems on RIDO or Clan feuds, on February 10, 2013, the “Fuerte Uno” Battalion under the Command of Lt Col Ceasar Marlon M Yadao Inf (GSC) PA, in partnership with the Mindanao Dynamic Culture of Peace (MIDCOP), Inc. represented by Mr. Jamael A. Datudacula facilitated a “rido” settlement and covenant signing between the families of Kadir Bilao, Sanal Torayas and Asraf Montaner Taog.

The main reason of their misunderstanding was when Sanal Torayas together with his brother-in law Asraf Montaner, the Manager of the land (96 hectares-owned by Hon Mayor Balindong of Picong) inspected the coconut plantation and informed Alimokaya Bilao, one of the tenants of the said parcel of land that they will be the one to manage the coconut plantation, and the remittances for the month of December 2012 should be given to them but Alimokaya failed to pay the said amount. Sanal, gave another chance to alimokaya to pay the remittance until the first week of January 2013.

However, Asraf Montaner intervened and exchanged provocative words with the tenants that set off a heated argument resulted to a gunfight, thus a number of lives and limbs lost in both sides. But with strong determination and commitment to serve the people of Malabang, the Battalion was able to convince the warring clans to put an end and settle their personal differences.

Both parties agreed to settle their dispute at the Headquarters, 51^st IB based at Brgy Matling, Malabang. The activity was attended by the families and relatives of both parties and witnessed by traditional/religious leaders, NGOs, and other stakeholders from Malabang headed by Ustadz Usop Dalidig, mediators headed by Hon. Sagosara Dimaporo, Brgy Chairman of Poblacion, Binidayan. Also in attendance are some PNP personnel from 4^th Maneuver Platoon, Prov’l Public Safety Company (PPSC), Lanao del Sur Police Prov’l Office, PNP-ARMM stationed at Camp JAS, Malabang, LDS.

Both parties agreed to the terms and conditions stipulated in the agreement (Kapasadan) and took their oath to the Holy Qur’an as a gesture that they have already settled all their misunderstandings. Lastly, the Bilao, Montaner Taog and Torayas families were thankful to the efforts made by 51IB in resolving their conflict and both families now are assured to move on and start a peaceful life.