Mindanao Examiner: Lanao officials hold peace dialogue
Philippine Star: Military ordered to crackdown on 'rido' groups
Tubod, Lanao del Norte (22 November). In an effort to end bloody reprisals locally in Lanao as “rido,” local political leaders, military, and police officials on Fridays converged in the remote Magsaysay town of Lanao del Norte, the site of the recent atrocity, to dialogue with the local folks.
The practice of rido particularly in the town was attributed to disputes arising from business rivalry or being shortchanged in their deals. This individual grudges later worsened as blood debts that had widened into clan wars. Just last week, Municipal Councilman Generoso Jamora was slain in what was believed to be part of a string of reprisals among the populace. The nearby town of Salvador had also been the site of another feud that resulted in the ambush of a group of Maranaos.
Father and son, Congressman Abdullah Dimaporo of the 2nd District and Governor Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo of the province were joined by 104th Infantry Brigade Commander Col Benito de Leon and Police Region 10 Chief Supt Teoderico Capuyan to discuss arrangements to prevent further violence in the area. The group later met with the people of the town to appeal to end the bloody feuds that had claimed lives and threatened to escalate into a bigger conflict.
Congressman Dimaporo who was celebrating his birthday gave way to attend to this concern which he feared may escalate to create a divide between the Christians and the Muslims or the Maranaos and the other ethnic groups. He directed the police authorities to speed up investigation in order to identify the suspects to be charged in court so as to prevent people to take the law in their own hands. He appealed for unity to attain true peace and order citing. He even cited that though he is a Muslim he got married to a Christian from the Quibranza family: his father hoped that such union will achieve peace in the land. He had to endure ridicule in many occasions if only to support the aspirations for peace.
Also, Governor Dimaporo echoed the sentiments of the his father and called for unity among the people so that they can better attain security and further take on development activities. He says that his priority concern is in bringing the rogue element of Macapaar aka Bravo who sowed violence in the province.
Meanwhile, Supt Capuyan assured the locals that he had stationed more police forces in the area to curb further violence. He also asked the people to cooperate with and trust the police so that justice can be served faster. Col de Leon, also, said that he had placed an Army unit, referring to 32nd Infantry Battalion, to attend to the security in the area and assist the police in law enforcement activities. This would include running after the lawless armed groups that may seek to undertake the extra-judicial option of “rido.”
The army commander stressed that the cycle of violence of “rido” will be unending if everyone does not do anything to stop it. He says that the mistakes we do now will be paid by future generations. “We owe it to the future generations to make right the foundations we prepare for them,” emphasized de Leon.
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