PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat – Military officials here have successfully reconciled warring families locked in a long-standing land dispute after a series of mediation that led to the signing of a settlement pact.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc and Lt. Col. Lauro Oliveros, commanders of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion and 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, respectively, facilitated on Wednesday the peaceful resolution of the land conflict between a landowner and claimants in Barangay Katiku here.
The families have been locked in an ownership battle over a 10-hectare farmland in the village. Following a series of negotiations facilitated by the two Army battalion commanders, both parties agreed to a deal in which the Vallejos family would be paid PHP1.2 million for the property.
The land conflict has become a flashpoint in the area after Moro Islamic Liberation Front members began attacking the Christian-dominated community of Katiku in 2009.
Both Cabunoc and Oliveros said the settlement reflects the Army’s role as not only confined to war but also covers dispute resolution, especially on land ownership.
Cabunoc said the settlement was made possible through the support of Mayor Abdulkarim Langkuno of Paglat town, Mayor Bonnie Kali of Gen. SK Pendatun, Pres. Quirino Mayor Azel Mangudadatu, and Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu.
The provincial government, through the Maguindanao Task Force on Reconciliation and Unification, has facilitated dozens of “rido” (clan war) originating from land disputes. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
