Warring MILF leaders settle clan war

MANILA, Philippines — Two warring leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who were engaged in what is said to be the bloodiest rido in Basilan, have reconciled.

Geon Arasad and Tanad Nasalon, both commanders of the MILF’s 114th Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, signed a peace covenant in Barangay Buton in Hadji Muhammad Ajul town on Tuesday.

Gov. Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman, representatives from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation as well as military officials led by Joint Task Force Orion chief Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio witnessed the signing of the peace deal.

The settlement was facilitated by the 101st Infantry Brigade (IB) through the 4th Special Forces Battalion led by Col. Bernard Samin, MILF-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities-Basilan chairman Hadji Samad Ahaddin and Hadji Muhammad Ajul Mayor Talib Pawaki.

The two MILF commanders have been fighting for control of parcels of land in Muhammad Ajul since May 2020, resulting in loss of lives in the two camps.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, 101st IB commander, said the two MILF leaders turned over eight M16 and two M653 assault rifles.

“The period of conflict and violence in your communities is over. You may now concentrate on improving the plight of your families, looking to the future,” Patrimonio said.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said the settlement of the feud is a “big leap” toward the restoration of normalcy in Basilan.