DAVAO CITY – The mayor of Pigcawayan town in North Cotabato province has stepped in to peacefully resolve the land conflict that resulted in fighting between two families in Barangay Banucagon.
THE local government of Pigcawayan in North Cotabato distributes hot meals to displaced residents of Barangay Banucagon following violence between feuding families on Wednesday night, April 24. (LGU Pigcawayan)
At least 250 individuals fled to the town proper when a firefight erupted between the warring families on April 24.
Mayor Juanito Agustin said that the two families have been fighting over eight hectares of land for over a year. Agustin added that he has been holding dialogues to settle the family feud or what is locally known as “rido.”
“The fighting was actually between a grandfather and a grandson. Both of them have their own armed followers. I have conducted dialogue between them at least five times already,” he said.
The mayor added that the grandfather was killed in the clash and several others were wounded.
Both families were said to be affiliated with the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Agustin said they have requested the police and military to assist them in diffusing the tension. The mayor assured that the fighting will not spill over to other areas.
Liga ng Barangay president Emmanuel Doctolero bared that the feuding families have been scheduled for a dialogue either today or tomorrow, April 26.
“However, the firefight erupted while we were also in the middle of another rido settlement in another barangay,” said Doctolero, chairman of Barangay Presbitero.
Agustin said that he has been conducting dialogues to resolve the cycle of conflict due to several rido cases in the municipality.
“The grandfather was here in my office last week. I advised him to talk to his grandson and resolve their issues over the eight hectares of land. Otherwise, one of you would only be buried in just about a few square meters of land,” the mayor recalled his advice to the elderly man.
Doctolero said that government forces are now in Barangay Banucagon to secure displaced residents who will return to work in their farms. He added that they are now coordinating with the MILF to assist them in pacifying their followers to allow the return of residents.