ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Three warring families in the Basilan town of Sumisip have decided to settle their more than a decade “rido” or bloody feud, an official said Friday.
Lt. Col. Renante Besa, the Army's 64th Infantry Battalion commander, facilitated the rido settlement between the Janna, Wakil, and Ikih families Thursday at the headquarters of the battalion in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip.
Besa said Friday the three warring families agreed to settle their differences through the mediation of Sumisip Mayor Jul-Adnan Hataman and Lt. Col. Freddie Calosing, commander of the Army's 68th Infantry Battalion.
Col. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Army's 101st Infantry Brigade and the guest in the settlement ceremony, said the "rido" greatly affected the peace and order, as well as the progress not only of Sumisip town but of Basilan province as a whole.
“I am encouraging everyone to do the same, to settle what causes fear between conflicting families and start actions for peace development that could lead us to a more progressive, developed and better Sumisip, you are very lucky to have a mayor who has a big heart to push peace and development in your municipality,” Gobway said.
The rido settlement was witnessed by religious and political leaders aside from military and police officials.
Meanwhile, Gobway lauded the facilitators of the rido settlement, citing it as one of the ways to contribute to the progress of Sumisip town.