Army settles another clan war in Central Mindanao

TACURONG CITY—-In a show of its conflict management capability, the Philippine Army has settled another bloody clan war anew.
For the troops of the 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion, mediating in clan wars among rival families in Maguindanao has become a new trend. This is our fifth successful settlement of bloody clan wars in the current year. It demonstrates our ability to address the root causes of the problem, and in working together towards finding the most suitable solution, said Lt. Colonel Harold Cabunoc, 33rd IB chief,who hosted the solemn Kanduli that was attended by Maguindanao Governor Esmael ‘Toto’ Mangudadatu. All in the family
Mamadsali Pandapatan, 50, and Jorge Ayup, 55, fought for ownership of part, if not, the whole of the 10 hectare of rice farm in Lumabao village.Both parties were descendants of landowners who failed to apportion the property with all the documentary requirements, leading to competing claims and resulting bloodbath. My grandparents originally owned this land, said Pandapatan during the initial mediation effort that was administered by Lt Col Harold M Cabunoc on Oct 29.

Meanwhile, the current holders of the land titles argue that they are the rightful owners. The land had been divided to four descendants as shown in these certificates. We have already apportioned 2.5 hectares to the family of Pandapatan but he wanted to take the whole 10 hectares, said Ayup, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The conflict settlement that was initiated in 2013 by the MILF and the former mayor of General Salipada K Pendatun, was not honored by Mamadsali.The fierce rivalry turned their village into a battleground between the combatants of the MILF and the BIFF, the force multipliers of Pandapatan.Both sides of the conflict incurred casualties in the clan war that raged in the next 5 years.

Some of the combatants were slapped with criminal cases for the atrocities of the BIFF.

Datu Parido Balabagan who claims to be a ‘Brigade Commander’ of the MILF’s 108th Base Command, ended up with an arrest warrant together with known BIFF leaders Gani Saligan and Edsrafil Guiwan of the BIFF. After hours of intense discussion with the Army and MILF mediators, all parties agreed to honor the legal documents and the earlier agreement on the ownership of land. Tearful reunion among relatives ensued after the culmination of the conflict settlement.Peacemakers
During the kanduli ceremony on November 8 (Thursday) Governor Esmael Mangudadatu praised the Army’s mediation efforts in collaboration with the local leaders. You have witnessed the love and care of your Army in your communities. They entered your communities not to kill but to enforce the law and restore normalcy in your village, he said after all combatant leaders signed the new ‘peace agreement’ that he witnessed alongside Colonel Antonio Sugarol, the Assistant Division Commander of the 6th Infantry Division.

Actually, these are all my relatives too, revealed Mangudadatu during the awarding of the P20,000.00 cash assistance for former BIFF members who were presented to the last-termer local chief executive on the same occasion. Major General Cirilito Sobejana, the Commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, cited the local government of Maguindanao for the recent conflict settlement. The frontline leadership of the provincial government led by Governor Esmael Mangudadatu is instrumental in the success of the Army's peacemaking initiatives. We have synergized our efforts resulting in the influx of BIFF surrenderors who were all involved in the clan wars that have been settled, said Sobejana.As of today, the 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion has settled five clan wars that paved the way for the voluntary surrender of 32 BIFF members who had been involved in these bloody conflicts.