Muslim leaders led by House of Representatives Speaker Simeon A. Datumanong Sunday welcomed the statement of the Mangudadatu clan that it will not wage a “rido” (family vendetta) against the Ampatuan clan, despite the death of the former's close family members in what is now called the “Maguindanao massacre” last November 23.

Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr.'s son, Datu Andal Jr., mayor of Datu Unsay town, is accused of being the leader of the pack of gunmen who abducted and slaughtered along the national highway in Ampatuan town members of a convoy led by Genalyn Tiamzon, wife of Buluan Vice Mayor Datu Ismael “Toto" Mangudadatu, who was to file his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for Maguindanao governor in the May 19, 2010 local and national elections.

The young Ampatuan was being groomed to run for governor by his father, thus, the bitter political rivalry.

Despite the tragic end of his wife, sisters, and aunt, and some journalists, he has left everything to the rule of law. He later filed his CoC in Maguindanao's capital, Shariff Aguak, escorted by a convoy of over 50 vehicles with military security.

“We will not retaliate with force. We shall only fight them the legal way, through the court, through a legal battle, as prescribed by law,” said the vice mayor.

Datumanong is related to the Ampatuans, who, at this writing, have one of its members a prime suspect in the mass murders of 57 people, journalists, motorists, and Mangudadatu family members.

“This is the right attitude, to leave everything to due process, and let justice take its course. There will be no further inflammation of the situation,” said the Maguindanao congressman.

Datumanong expressed the hope the tragedy will be resolved fast and the people of the province can have a respite from violence.

Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong said the reassuring words of the Buluan vice mayor help a lot in easing the tense situation.

“We fully appreciate the statement of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu of allowing the law to take its course in the resolution of the Maguindanao massacre,” the official of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said.

“We, the Muslim democrats, salute him for he is a Muslim leader in the truest sense of the word. May Allah consider those who lost their lives in the grisly killings as martyrs and deserving of Paradise,” said Mamondiong, one of the founders of the United Muslim Democrats of the Philippines (UMDP), which is allied with the administration party.

Datu Ali B. Sangki, undersecretary and executive director of the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA), is one of the most affected since his mother is related to the Mangudadatus, while his father is an Ampatuan.

Sangki's daughter, Bai Miriam, is also married to the son of Sultan Kudarat Rep. Datu Pax Mangudadatu, Datu Suharto, governor of Sultan Kudarat province.

“If there is anyone who is deeply affected, then that is me. I am related to the two clans,” said Sangki.

On hearing the Buluan vice mayor's declaration of no retaliation by force, the OMA head said this will help provide the people an assurance that no more blood will be spilled.

“There is no substitute for sobriety at this time of outrageous situation, for all those concerned to prevent the escalation of the already volatile atmosphere. The government should also make sure to appreciate the facts of the case to ensure the right outcome,” said Sangki.