ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 13, 2012) – The Philippine Army has reconciled two warring Muslim families ending years of bitter feud and senseless killings in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island.
The official Philippine Information Agency said Army Col. Buenaventura Pascual, commander of Task Force Zamboanga, helped in the reconciliation between the two families in the village of Muti.
It quoted Pascual as saying “while this may seem like a small accomplishment, the effects of the reconciliation is broad enough to help in the city’s peace and order situation.”
“There are some residents here in Muti who have relatives that are members of the Abu Sayyaf who are in Basilan. Now if we don’t resolve this conflict between the two families, the Abu Sayyaf may take advantage of the situation and establish their presence here. This is what we are concerned and have addressed. This is not just about Muti, but Zamboanga City in general,” Pascual said.
He said they will continue to strengthen their security in the area as it is considered to be one of the few areas in the city with erratic peace and order.
“This is not a ‘not-so-good’ community when it comes to peace and order, at least now we are slowly addressing the issues,” he added.
Haybi Pawaki, Muti barangay chairman, initiated a peace covenant signing witnessed by hundreds of residents, military officials, and city government officials in traditional Islamic rights to formalize the reconciliation.
Pawaki expressed elation, saying the success of the peace covenant signing will pave the way for a peaceful Muti.
“The impact of this peace covenant is that we can finally put to rest all grudge and live peacefully. We can see how happy our residents are with this. We have been praying for this to happen and I thank God and the people behind this successful activity for not giving up on achieving peace,” Pawaki said.
Muti Elementary School Principal Sammy Francisco also expressed glee s as this will ease the fear of their students to go back to school.
“It was very unfortunate that the conflict between Hasim and Amajad families has also affected the education of the children here. Over 100 students chose not to return to school for fear of their safety. But I am very happy for our students because they can now come back to school without fear of being caught in a cross fight. The reconciliation of the two families has also helped ensure the bright future of our students,” Francisco said.
Representatives from both families signed the covenant. They promised to honor the covenant for the sake of peace not just between them but for the entire community.
“Conflicts are part of our lives. But we can always choose peace over it. I am very happy that with this reconciliation, we can all now live normally and in peace knowing that all grudge are now gone,” Pascual said.
Task Force Zamboanga is under the 1st Infantry Division headed by Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III. (Michael Vincent Cajulao)
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