Tugunan, BARMM – October 20, 2024 – Esmael “Bapa Mael” Makasasa, a key figure in an ongoing clan feud in Barangay Bualan, has formally entrusted the resolution of the conflict to local authorities and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leadership. This decision was made in hopes of putting an end to the violent clashes that erupted last Friday between two rival groups in the area.
Photo courtesy of Maguindanao news updates
The mediation efforts, spearheaded by the MILF-Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (MILF-CCCH), along with local officials, took place this Sunday afternoon. Tugunan Municipal Administrator Nasser Gayagay, Barangay Lagunde Chairman Sindatok Karim, and other officials joined the mediation team as they traveled to Barangay Bualan, where the conflict had intensified over the past few days.
The violence, which began on Friday, had forced several families to flee the area, seeking safety in nearby barangays. Though the gunfire between the two groups temporarily ceased this afternoon, there has been no indication yet that the displaced civilians can safely return to their homes. The situation remains tense, and authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure the truce holds and further violence is averted.
Local leaders expressed hope that this pause in hostilities will allow room for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the situation is still fragile, and peacekeepers are urging both parties to commit to the ongoing mediation process.
Clan feuds, or “rido,” remain a significant challenge in many parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where disputes between families or clans often escalate into violent confrontations. Efforts are being made by both government and local authorities to address these issues through dialogue and mediation, promoting peaceful conflict resolution within communities.
Residents of Barangay Bualan, especially those displaced by the violence, continue to wait for official word on when it will be safe for them to return. In the meantime, peacekeepers and local officials are working tirelessly to ensure that tensions between the rival groups do not flare up again.
