Feuding Maguindanao clans make peace after barangay polls

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – Two Maguindanaon clans that figured in gunfights following the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections reconciled Wednesday.

The leaders of the feuding groups, Salaban Mindalagat and Safrola Buday, promised to tell armed relatives and supporters who figured in a spate of encounters immediately after the elections to stand down.

The re-electionist Mindalagat, chairman of Barangay Dungguan in Datu Montawal town in the second district of Maguindanao, lost to Buday in Monday's election.

They have sworn to co-exist again as relatives and neighbors through the intercession of the municipal peace and order council chaired by Mayor Vicman Montawal.   

Mindalagat also conceded defeat to Buday.

No one was hurt in the encounters between their groups but their clashes sent villagers running for their lives.

Vice Mayor Otho Montawal, who presides over the municipal council, said he is thankful to the Datu Montawal municipal police, the military and the joint ceasefire committee of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for helping settle the conflict.