Warring MILF commanders reconcile in Maguindanao del Sur

SHARIFF AGUAK, Maguindanao del Sur – For the second time, warring factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Maguindanao del Sur have agreed to bury the hatchet and avoid using force to settle their misunderstanding.

Abu Salwa of MILF 105th Base Command and Samad Simpal of MILF 118th Base Command signed a peace deal at the office of Mayor Akmad Ampatuan in Shariff Aguak town.

Ampatuan and Col. John Michael Mangahis, Maguindanao del Sur police director, brokered the ceasefire.

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READ: MILF infighting sends civilians fleeing in Maguindanao del Sur

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Anwar Kuit Emblawa, Ampatuan’s executive assistant, said the warring MILF leaders also swore before the Holy Quran “that violence is no longer an option and will never be an option in their communities.”

Major Joel Lebrilla, Shariff Aguak municipal police chief, said the reconciliation efforts, jointly conducted by police, Army, local government unit and representatives from the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, were aimed at ending their family feud, locally known as “rido.”

“The longstanding rido between the two groups had previously escalated into armed confrontations and firefights,” Mangahis said.

On Sept. 30, members of the MILF’s 105th Base Command (under Commander Abu Salwa) and the 118th Base Command (under Commander Samad Simpal) clashed in Barangay Malingao and Barangay Bialong in Shariff Aguak over a long-standing territorial dispute.

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Five days earlier, the Shariff Aguak LGU mediated and reconciled Salwa and Simpal.  But it did not hold as another fighting erupted on Sept. 30.

Mangahis said the conflict sent 330 families, or about 1,300 individuals, fleeing from the villages of Barangays Malingao and Lapok, Shariff Aguak.

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READ: 1 dead, 2 critically hurt in MILF infighting in Maguindanao del Sur

The clashes also left one child dead due to a stray bullet and another man wounded.

He lauded the warring MILF field commanders for coming over and for supporting the peace efforts.

Police and military authorities underscored the importance of maintaining peace and order, exercising maximum restraint, avoiding retaliating, and resolving disputes through peaceful, lawful means.

Emblawa said the LGU is now attending to the needs of affected families while financial aid was extended to the families of the slain and wounded civilians.

“Mayor Mitra Ampatuan wanted to ensure that civilians, who have been longing for genuine peace, are being taken care of,” Emblawa told the Inquirer.

READ: AFP, PNP recover guns, ammo after MILF infighting in Maguindanao Sur

He stressed that the continued commitment of Shariff Aguak LGU and its peace partners is essential to prevent violent confrontation to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in the town.

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On Wednesday, five Islamic extremists under the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Karialan faction surrendered to police authorities with their two rocket-propelled grenade launchers at the town police station./coa