Lanao del Sur gov’t, military end 50-year-old ‘rido’ between 2 political clans

THE PROVINCIAL Government of Lanao del Sur, together with the Joint Task Group Haribon of the Philippine Army, had successfully put an end to the five-decade “rido,” or family feud, between two political clans in the province. The two clans were those of Vice-Mayor Jafar Dipatuan of Bacolod-Kalawi town and Mayor Al Fatah Pacalna Balindong of Tugaya. Maj. Gen. Roseller G. Murillo, commander of Joint Task Force Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao (Zampelan), said in a statement that they would no longer tolerate any incidents of rido and they will continue to support all activities that will put an end to family feuds. “In the past days, we have conducted aggressive actions in stopping warring groups that have disturbed peaceful communities in Lanao del Sur, and we will continue to do just that because we will not allow any group to go on disturbing our peaceful communities when they want to,” Mr. Murillo said. Following the series of talks and the settlement, the military collected 24 high-powered firearms from the families. The ceremony and traditional proceeding between the families of the warring clans was held at the headquarters of the JTG Haribon in Campo Ranao, Marawi City on Monday, and was witnessed by officials from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office. —