After almost seven years of
conflict with a total of 21 casualties from both clans that included a nine
-year old boy who was a victim of IED locally called as ‘bagnit’ , Pantasan and Tapahing finally settled their long due
conflict on August 29, 2013 at Barangay Niangkaan, Omar, Sulu.
The conflict was caused by land
dispute which has been previously settled twice on November 2011 and January
2013.
An approximate two hundred individuals
attended and witnessed the settlement hosted by Vice Mayor Habib Juddin Pantasan
at his residence.
Facilitation of the conflict
was a collaborative effort of military, police, municipal local governance, Tumikang
Sama-Sama, community leaders with support from HD Centre.
This included several shuttle
facilitations/mediations, meetings/assessments and trauma healing through
engaging communities in a dialogue to both clans, who willingly agreed to be
settled and move on with their respective lives.
There was no diator blood money involved.
Witness to the peace settlement
and signing of covenant are provincial director P/SSupt. Abraham Buenafe Orbita
of Sulu Provincial Police Office, Commanding Officer of Marine Battalion
Landing Team 10 Lt. Col. Fernando Dinglasan, Ustadz Gabir Kasim and Kalmie Abduhasad
of the Tumukang Sama-Sama (TSS) of HD Centre Sulu and Former Board Member Hadji
Hector Buclao.
Orbita expressed appreciation
on the efforts of the two clans to see both parties forgave each other and came
for the settlement, in spite what happened in the past.
He also encouraged other clans
who were involved in conflict look at Pantasan-Tapahing as a good example and
learn lessons from it.
He is with high hopes that
finally, clan conflicts in the province of Sulu will decrease if not eventually
perish. The SPPO’s slogan ‘LasahunNatuh
in LupahSug’(Let us Love Sulu) also gained popularity among the residents
of Niangkaan, Omar.
Attendees were also enlightened
by the Islamic preaching of Ustadz Gabir Kasim on the wisdom of reconciliation
and unification among Muslims, even sighted Qurânic verses on the rewards of
getting into settlement and doing such good deeds.
One of the clan leaders of
Tapahing Group (from Sitio Tanduh Panuan), also involve in their several
fire-fights, was not able to contain his tears while listening to this.
After signing, both clans shook
hands and embraced as a sign of sincere forgiveness and respect towards each
other.
They expressed their optimism
for a peaceful and harmonious living in the community.
Meanwhile, Orbita added that
there were 22 family conflicts now in Sulu willing to join the efforts of
some None-Government Organization with the local government units , police and
other local agencies to sign the peace covenant for the sake of peace and
development in Sulu. (with report by becky d. de Asis)
