2 Moro clans sign peace pact, end 45 years of feuding

By: Edwin Fernandez - 10 years ago

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — Two Moro warring clans ended their decades-old family feud and vowed to help bring about peace in their communities in Maguindanao.

The Midtimbang and Omar clans in Maguindanao’s Talayan and South Upi towns ended their family feud, locally known as “rido,” by signing a peace covenant in the presence of other political leaders, Moro Islamic Liberation Front and police and military officials Friday.

The signing of peace covenant was held in Talayan town hall where the Midtimbangs have ruled the past four decades.

Without their firearms, the Omars came over to bring peace “for the sake of our families,” Talayan Vice Mayor Ali Midtimbang told reporters.

The Midtimbangs on the other hand brought with them the Holy Qur’an as an instrument to spread peace.

The Midtimbangs were led by Vice Mayor Midtimbang, his brother Guindulungan town Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang, a Muslim religious leader, in signing the peace agreement in the presence of officials from the 6th Infantry Division.

“Peace is in the air,” Ronnie Antao, a member of the Bangsamoro movement for justice and peace, described the presence of archenemies inside the town hall extending the hands of peace.

Speaking for and in behalf of their clans, Mayor Midtimbang and South Upi Vice Mayor Mohammad Omar Jr, appealed to other warring clans in Maguindanao to embrace peace instead of settling feuds through violent means.

Both sides did not discuss what triggered the family feud, which already claimed several lives from both sides and lasted for about 45 years.

“We would suffer if we continue the rido while we would all benefit if we embrace peace,” Mayor Midtimbang said.

According to Midtimbang, the timing of the reconciliation is perfect, as the government and the MILF are nearing the completion of the Mindanao peace process.

Since 2009, there have been no major skirmishes between the Army and the MILF. Instead, both sides are helping settle disputes among Moro clans.

Clan wars are among the major issues discussed in the ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF.

Reconciliation of warring families engaged in decades old clan wars has also been the priorities of Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

He created the Regional Commission on Reconciliation and Peace to focus on settling of family feuds.

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