By Bonita Ermac
ILIGAN CITY — The Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion facilitated the reconciliation of the two warring families through a peace covenant in the municipality of Kapai, Lanao del Sur, on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 9:00 a.m.
(82nd Infantry Battalion / MANILA BULLETIN)
82nd Infantry Battalion commander Colonel Rafman Altre said the clans of Elias and Musama offered four M16A1 rifles as a sign for their willingness to end their wars. This in participation and intervention of the local government units of Kapai and Tagoloan II towns in Lanao del Sur province.
“This is just an initial step and will soon lay down the foundation of the formal Rido Settlement which will take place sooner upon the compliance of demands of both parties,” Altre said.
103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade commander Colonel Jose Maria Cuerpo II, presided over the said peace covenant. Cuerpo said they were grateful and honored for the clan's decision to initially end their war and unite.
“To other warring clans, consider us the Army as peace-keepers and peace-makers who will arbitrate and settle all family wars for the benefit of constituents of Lanao del Sur,” he said.
“We are all Filipinos and brothers in blood. We must unite and we should not allow our younger generations to inherit the grudges and the rages we’ve had in our past”, added Cuerpo.
Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao Provinces) and 1st Infantry Division Commander Major General Generoso Ponio lauded the troops and the local government for the settlement of warring families.
“Our troops and your Army are sincere and ready to mediate, assist and facilitate settlement of clan wars even with the pandemic in order to achieve a just and lasting peace in our area of responsibility,” said Ponio.
“We are also thankful to the stakeholders and the local government units for their unwavering efforts in addressing social and societal problems even in times of Covid-19 crisis,” Ponio concluded.