MAGUINDANAO del Sur Gov. Datu Ali Midtimbang has successfully mediated a peace settlement between two feuding families of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders.
Through his Mediation and Peace Dialogue program, Midtimbang brought together the families of Sukarno Ampatuan and Patrick Omar at his office on Thursday.
Ampatuan leads the MILF’s 105th Base Command, while Omar heads the 128th Base Command. Their groups had been engaged in intermittent clashes in Rajah Buayan town over the past five years, resulting in several casualties and property damage.
“Forget your dispute over territorial areas. Let’s work for peace for the sake of our children and our children’s children,” Midtimbang told the warring families.
“I am happy you heeded my call for a peaceful settlement,” he said.
Both sides agreed to refrain from violence and demonstrate that peace is possible in their communities.
The settlement was facilitated by Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, and Rajah Buayan Mayor Bai Maruja Ampatuan Mastura.
Catu warned the families that the military would intervene in case hostilities resumed.
