TALAYAN, Maguindanao del Sur — The years-long feud between former Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Idris “Resty” Sindatok and 118th Base Command Commander Ustadz Wahid Tundok of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has finally come to an end following a peaceful settlement led by Maguindanao del Sur Governor Datu Ali “Kagui Ali” Midtimbang on Sunday.
The settlement ceremony took place at the Governor’s Sub-Office in Talayan and was attended by key military and local officials, including 601st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Edgar Catu, Colonel Sultan Salman Sapal of the Maguindanao del Sur Police Provincial Office, former MP Datu Antao Midtimbang, and Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor Datu Bassir “Banjo” Utto.
The reconciliation aimed to put an end to years of conflict and restore peace across the affected communities, particularly in the barangays of Gawang, Kitango, Elian, Kitapok, and Dapiawan.
Governor Midtimbang emphasized that true development cannot flourish without peace. “If there is no peace, progress will remain out of reach. That’s why we continue to work for reconciliation among our people,” he said.
Mayor Utto welcomed the settlement as a “positive and long-awaited development” for the town and its residents.
During the ceremony, both sides—represented by Former Mayor Sindatok, Commander Zainudin “Haun” Sindatok, and Commander Wahid Tundok—signed an agreement committing to uphold the peace and abide by the terms of the settlement. The symbolic handshake and embrace between the two groups marked the official conclusion of their long-standing rido (clan feud).
Governor Midtimbang, together with Brig. Gen. Catu, the PNP, Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), and other peace stakeholders, lauded both groups for choosing dialogue over conflict.
Both parties vowed to respect the agreement and the leadership of Governor Midtimbang and Former BTA Member Midpantao Midtimbang as they move forward toward unity and lasting peace in Maguindanao del Sur.