Ampatuan, Mastura end conflict

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Two rival Muslim clans whose political quarrels escalated during the 2007 local polls reconciled yesterday, ending an animosity that peace activists feared would resurface in the 2010 elections.

Engineer Norie Unas, Maguindanao provincial administrator, said the reconciliation of Datu Tucao Mastura, a descendant of the 17th century Moro chieftain Sultan Kudarat, and former Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. capped a “unity gathering” of the politically diverse Iranon and Maguindanaon leaders who also agreed to patch their differences for good during the event.

Mastura and Ampatuan, father of incumbent Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan, parted ways during the 2007 elections, as a consequence of Mastura’s candidacy then for the gubernatorial post of Shariff Kabunsuan against Datu Bimbo Sinsuat, a protégé of the Ampatuans. – John Unson