FILE PHOTO: BARMM Regional Headquarters
MANILA, Philippines — The government should address the root cause of “rido” or family and clan feuds to achieve lasting peace in the Bangsamoro region, according to Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) chief Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr.
Galvez made the statement Thursday as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) marked its fifth founding anniversary.
“We need to address with finality the problem of rido,” said Galvez.
Rido is often caused by land disputes, politics, and inherited generations of misunderstanding and stereotyping between two feuding clans or groups.
Galvez also warned that hostilities among the feuding families could escalate and could pose a serious threat to the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process.
To avert this, there is a need for the security sector, the BARRM, and the local government units to collaborate.
“Our security forces are the guardians of peace. However, for them to be most effective, they must be supported by a network of proactive, engaged, and informed stakeholders,” Galvez pointed out.
“All of them play crucial roles in creating a platform for open dialogue and cooperation. We need to harness the collective strength of these groups and institutions to address the underlying issues that fuel rido,” he added.
BARRM’s establishment is commemorated every Jan. 21.
This year, a week-long celebration for the establishment of the autonomous region has been held from Jan. 21 until Jan. 26.
BARRM was established through the Bangsamoro Organic Law which became effective in Aug. 2018.