Feuding clans turn over 6 more firearms after rido settlement in Lanao Sur

A week after an amicable settlement of a long-running clan war in Lanao del Sur last January 22, 2018 sa consummated, six more firearms were turned over by the warring groups to the Joint Task Force Haribon in Marawi City on January 29, 2018.

Vice Mayor Alber Balindong of Tugaya, Lanao del Sur surrendered six high-powered firearms to Colonel Generoso Ponio, the commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, in Camp Ranao, Marawi City at 10:30 a.m.  of January 29 as a gesture of firm commitment to the settlement that was made earlier with their warring clans.

Surrendered firearms included four Caliber 7.62mm M14 rifles and two Caliber 5.56mm M16 rifles.

The firearms are now in the custody of the 103rd Brigade and are being properly labelled and documented.

“Last January 22, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur, represented by its Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., and the Joint Task Group Haribon of the Philippine Army, headed by Colonel Generoso Ponio, initiated and facilitated the talks and eventual settlement of a decades-long family feud between Vice Mayor Jafar Dipatuan of Bacolod-Kalawi and Mayor Al Fatah Pacalna Balindong of Tugaya, both in Lanao del Sur,” said Major General Roseller G. Murillo, commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPeLan.

“During the feud settlement on January 22, both parties surrendered a total of 24 firearms to government forces. The additional six firearms turned over today [Monday] brings to 30 the total number of firearms surrendered," he added.

The settlement ceremony and traditional proceedings between the families of the warring clans was held at the headquarters of the JTG Haribon in Campo Ranao, Marawi City and amicably ended the rido at 12 noon of January 22.

“I would like to commend the combined AFP and PNP forces under MGen Murillo for these active actions to end Rido in their area,” said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

“This is a very good gesture of honesty and commitment to the earlier settlement between the two warring parties.”

“We encourage the other feuding clans to do the same in order for everybody to have a chance to live in harmony and prosperity,” added LtGen Galvez, Jr.

“Part of the overall campaign of the WesMinCom is to sustain all efforts to resolve all vertical and horizontal conflicts within the Joint Area of Operations, and we will continue to maintain an active stance on this particular issue until we reach a closure on all existing Rido, may it be peacefully or aggressively,” added the WesMinCom chief. —Peewee Bacuño/LBG, GMA News