Clan disputes settled by Army troopers

By Francis Wakefield

Soldiers of the 37th Infantry Battalion facilitated the end of a bloody clan war that was finally settled in a ceremony held at Headquarters of the Alpha Company in Sitio Bora, Barangay Oring, Buldon, Maguindanao on Monday, March 4.

Lt. Col. Roberto C. Go, commanding officer of the 37th IB and Buldon Mayor Abolais Manalao orchestrated the settling of the clan disputes between the Aragasi family and Mimbisa family, and the Pacasmos against the Macabangon Family.

Accordingly, the dispute between Aragasi vs Mimbisa, which has been raging for 67 years, ended after each side suffered a casualty, while the five-year dispute between the Pacasmo family and the Macabangons resulted in the death of a the Pacasmo clan.

The recent settlement also led to the handover of three M1 Cal. 30 Garand rifles and one M16A1 rifle.

The activity was witnessed by more or less 350 family members and parties of the feuding clans with Buldon Vice Mayor Cairudin Pangunutan, Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, and Uztadz Yusoph Palawan.

603rd Brigade Officer-In-Charge Col Wilbur C. Mamawag and Mayor Manalao helped in settling the dispute to end the culture of violence and uphold the peace and security within the community.

Both parties expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the reign of peace in their town and thanked the military officials who settled the problem as neutral parties.

Maj. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, commended the troops of 37th Infantry Battalion for the recent feat in promoting peace and unity in the community.

“The secret of attaining peace in life is through communication and understanding.” “If you want to make peace, you have to work with your enemy and cultivate peace and harmony with all,” Sobejana said.