MILF commanders in Basilan end clan war

ILIGAN CITY – A long-standing “rido” within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has finally come to an end.

The clan feud ended through a formal settlement program and signing of peace covenant with a pledge of sincerity and commitment on the holy Qur’an “Magsapa” on Tuesday, January 16, in Barangay Buton, Hadji Mohammad Adjul, Basilan.

The event formally resolved the conflict that has already claimed numerous lives between Commander Geon Arasad, deputy battalion commander of the 1st Battalion, 114th Base Command, and Commander Tanad Nasalon, battalion commander.

The strife started in May 2020 and, if not settled, was seen to hinder the ongoing peace process, particularly the decommissioning of firearms as one of the efforts to fully attain the long-sought peace in the island-province of Basilan.

The conflict resolution was graced by Basilan Gov. Hadjiman S. Hataman-salliman, Ariel “Ayi” C. Hernandez, co-chairman of the Government of the Philippines-joint Normalization Committee representing Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity; Major Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Joint Task Force-orion commander, and Brig. Gen. Alvin V. Luzon of the 101st Infantry Brigade.

Hernandez underscored the importance of peace and understanding in the implementation of the normalization program with the MILF.

“With this very positive development, we in the normalization committee are confident of the smooth and successful continuation of the peace process, particularly with the decommissioning,” he said.

Patrimonio congratulated the warring groups for finally embracing peace. “The period of conflicts and violence in your communities is over. You may now concentrate on improving the plight of your families, looking to the future. Congratulations,” he said.

Salliman thanked troopers for brokering peace and resolving conflicts and lauded the warring parties for their decision to end the long-standing conflict.

As a gesture of sincerity and goodwill, the warring parties surrendered 10 high-powered firearms – eight M16 rifles and two M653 rifles.

The rido settlement was made possible through the initiatives and collaborative efforts of the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade through the 4th Special Forces Battalion led by Col. Bernard Samin, Milf-coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (Ccch)basilan Chairman Hadji Samad Ahaddin, and Hadji Muhammad Ajul Mayor Talib G. Pawaki.