Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur – July 21, 2025
In a disturbing turn of events that highlights the deeply rooted cycle of violence and the unchecked proliferation of illegal firearms in Maguindanao del Sur, a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander was gunned down in broad daylight inside a public school compound—just days after signing a peace pact to end a long-standing clan feud.
Commander Buntok Utap, a prominent figure under the 106th Base Command of the MILF, was shot dead around 9:40 a.m. Monday within the premises of Dansalan Elementary School in Barangay Panadtaban, Rajah Buayan. A woman nearby was injured after being struck by a stray bullet and was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Rajah Buayan Chief of Police PCpt. Argie Eyana confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and the motive behind the killing.
The assassination comes as a stark contradiction to a rido (clan war) settlement held on July 10, just eleven days earlier. The peace dialogue, attended by military, police, and local officials, was considered a breakthrough in resolving years of violent clashes between the families and followers of Commander Utap and Barangay Chairman Norodin Utto—both hailing from Barangay Panadtaban.
The rido settlement was brokered by the 601st Infantry Brigade, 33rd Infantry Battalion, the Philippine National Police, and the Rajah Buayan local government. It aimed to put an end to hostilities that have long plagued the area, displacing civilians, destroying livelihoods, and perpetuating instability in the community.
Terms of the agreement included a strict prohibition on armed incursions into each other’s territories and harsh penalties for any violations—including the surrender of at least ten high-powered firearms per group if conflict resumes. Both groups were warned that further clashes would result in criminal charges and being declared persona non grata.
Local officials, including Rajah Buayan Mayor Bai Maruja Mastura and Maguindanao del Sur Board Member Yasser Ampatuan, had expressed hope that the July 10 agreement would serve as a model for peace across the region. “Let this be a new beginning,” Mayor Mastura said during the signing, urging the feuding parties to set aside old grudges for the good of the community.
But the killing of Commander Utap, just days after this highly publicized reconciliation effort, underscores a grim reality: peace in Maguindanao del Sur remains precarious amid the widespread availability of illegal firearms and the enduring influence of various armed factions, including former MILF combatants, private armies, extremist groups, and criminal syndicates.
Despite the decommissioning process following the Bangsamoro peace agreement, thousands of unregistered weapons continue to circulate across Central and Southern Mindanao, fueling local disputes and undermining the fragile gains of post-conflict peacebuilding efforts.
Military officials have repeatedly warned that any violations of the rido settlement would be met with firm action. Brig. Gen. Edgar Catu of the 601st Infantry Brigade emphasized during the settlement ceremony that security forces would not hesitate to launch operations to seize firearms and pursue violators. “We will uphold the rule of law and hold accountable those who sabotage peace,” he said.
Commander Utap’s death is not only a tragic loss for his family and community—it is also a painful reminder of how violence remains a persistent feature of life in parts of Maguindanao, despite years of intervention, peace agreements, and reconciliation efforts.
As of this writing, police and military authorities have yet to determine whether the killing was politically motivated, a personal vendetta, or a reprisal from past conflicts. But the message is clear: the path to peace in Mindanao requires more than ceremonies and handshakes—it demands sustained disarmament, justice, and a collective commitment to end the culture of impunity.