ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – At least two feuding families from one of the 12 towns in Basilan Province have signed a peace pact after a series of mediation by local, police and military officials, ending the conflict between them that dragged for years.

The signatories of the peace pact are Tabuan Lasa town’s Pisak-Pisak village chieftain Hadji Mukatar Haris and Sonny Astala as well as their respective followers.

The peace settlement was initiated by Tabuan Lasa Mayor Muctar Junaid, Maluso Mayor Sakib Salajin and Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion chief Lt. Col. Jones Agustin.

Junaid said the peace pact was signed recently at the headquarters of the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion in Maluso town, and witnessed by Tabuan Lasa’s village and police officials.

Junaid said the protagonists have agreed to abide by the terms and conditions stated in the peace covenant they signed for a lasting peace in their respective communities in Saluping Island in Tabuan Lasa.

Juanid said the conflict stemmed from personal grudge, between the Haris and Astala families several years ago.

Previous attempts by government officials of Sumisip town to settle the feud between the two families had proved futile.

Tabuan Lasa was created out of the 12 villages of Sumisip that were not on mainland Basilan.