Pacifists Deployed in Muslim Mindanao to Curb Clan Clashes

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A deadly feud between two Bangsamoro families in Pahamuddin town has sparked a peacekeeping operation. The clash, over a disputed land dowry, has claimed at least two lives and left many more at risk.

A peacekeeping force has been deployed in Pahamuddin town in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to prevent the escalation of a “rido”, or clan feud. The Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST), composed of government security forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members, joined police and village officials in Barangay Patot after a clash erupted last Sunday between the families of an estranged couple over a 2-hectare property reportedly given as dowry before their marriage.

Capt. Rafael Bataan, Pahamuddin police chief, said the couple's separation and dispute over the land may have triggered the violence. Long-standing family disputes and an earlier ambush involving relatives from both sides had already heightened tensions, making the situation increasingly volatile.

According to sources, the husband sought to reclaim the property after the wife filed for divorce, which is allowed under Islamic law, citing incompatibility and misunderstandings.

The peacekeeping mission seeks to bring stability to the volatile region, and local authorities are calling for calm as negotiations between the two families are ongoing.

The 2-hectare property in question is a vital piece of land, and both families claim ownership, fueling the tension that has led to bloodshed.

The situation is sensitive, given the history of clan disputes in the region. The deployment of the JPST reflects the government's efforts to maintain stability in the area.

A total of two people have been confirmed dead, one from each family, and several others are injured.

Bataan said police were deployed to the area as soon as the violence erupted and are working to maintain order. The JPST's involvement is crucial in preventing further escalation.

In a separate incident, another clan dispute broke out in Maguindanao del Sur, resulting in three people being wounded.

Police said they were doing their best to bring the situation under control, with officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion and the Philippine Army deployed to the area.

The peacekeeping mission is part of the government's broader efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

According to reports, a peace agreement signed in 2021 aimed to address the underlying causes of clan feuds, but progress has been hampered by lack of cooperation from some communities.

The deployment of peacekeepers is seen as a last resort, but it may just be the solution to prevent further violence.