Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. Tuesday sought an end to the practice of “rido” or blood debt among warring political clans in Mindanao which, he said, has been a major stumbling block on progress and development in the region.

“Killing should not be a way of life,” he stressed in a recent dialogue with local political and tribal leaders, Teodoro said.

In his two years as defense secretary, Teodoro noted the continuing practice of “rido” among warring clans in Mindanao, most of them related to long-time political squabbles while others were traced to land grabbing issues, has been a major obstruction in the development of the region as a result of the endless killings.

Mindanaoans allegedly resort to "rido" do away with the judicial process and instead, use their private armies to liquidate their enemies until their entire clan is eliminated.

While emphasizing that he respects Muslim traditions, the 45-year-old administration bet said there are some practices that spawn hatred and murder among members of the religion.

“If we can get our Muslim brothers to forget about this senseless tradition of 'rido' and get them to remove the carrying of guns in their culture, I believe that Mindanao will be able to reach its maximum economic potential,” the presidential aspirant said.

Teodoro added that Mindanao with its extensive arable land is a crucial component in ensuring the country's food security in the future.

Instead of killing each other, he said a culture of peace should be established among Muslims. By achieving this, economic development will follow, Teodoro added.

He urged Mindanao political and religious leaders to work together in purging violence from their culture and to promote love and respect for the lives of others.

Teodoro noted that the rido culture, a ritualistic killing anchored on revenge which runs between two warring families for three generations, has already claimed the lives of many Muslims.