Peace adviser calls on Bangsamoro leaders to scale up role in resolving clan wars after 9 dead in Maguindanao attack

THE PRESIDENT’S peace adviser called on leaders of the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro region to step up their role in addressing clan wars following an attack last week in Maguindanao where nine people were killed.��

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this senseless attack which took away nine lives. Armed violence has once again reared its ugly head and is causing fear, animosity and instability among our people,” Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said in a statement on Monday.��

Authorities said the assault arose from a rido, or hostilities between kinship groups that prompt retaliatory violence.

“We are aware that such incidents are personal in nature. But we also believe that the MILF leadership has the moral obligation to help find ways so that the parties involved in these feuds can reach a peaceful settlement,” he said, referring to the former rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which is currently at the helm of the Bangsamoro region under transition.��

Mr. Galvez also said such feuds are rooted in “a deeper problem” — such as land disputes and economic conflicts, among other issues — that need to be addressed by local leaders, the community and government forces.

“We must be able to look beyond the personal reasons behind these armed attacks and decisively address the roots of the problem. This culture of violence has to stop or else more innocent lives will be lost,” he said.��

Meanwhile, Mr. Galvez also denounced the killing of two children in Northern Samar on Saturday when members of the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA) open fired at members of the Army who were passing through the community.��

The victims were two boys aged 12 and 13 who were gathering coconuts when the shooting incident occurred.��

Mr. Galvez said the NPA is a “spent force” whose remaining members are using violence to coerce people for support.

“The (NPA) must realize that its time has come to an end. Even the group’s supporters have turned away from it after realizing that they are just being used to promote twisted political agendas,” he said. — MSJ