Lamitan City, Basilan | After nearly a decade of animosity and tension, a remarkable chapter of reconciliation was written as two feuding families of eight (8 years mended their rift through a rido settlement (family feud reconciliation ceremony). This historic event took place on August 11, 2023, in the heart of Lamitan City, Basilan, BARMM.
As the echoes of the rido settlement reverberated through Lamitan City, it carried a resounding message of hope and the possibility of transformation. August 11, 2023, shall forever be etched in history as a day when deep-seated disputes were replaced with a shared vision of unity and cooperation.
During the event, Hon. Roderick H. Furigay, the Mayor of Lamitan City, Basilan delivered an inspirational address highlighting the significance of education as a potent catalyst for lasting peace. His words resonated as he shared, “𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘯. 𝘒𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘺𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘬 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘯, 𝘱𝘢𝘨-𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯.”
The highlight of the event was the formal signing of the amicable agreement, signifying the end of years of conflict. Key representatives from the warring families, accompanied by essential stakeholders, inked their commitment to an amicable agreement. This act was accompanied by symbolic gestures of embrace and handshake, a tangible representation of the renewed connection between the families.
LTCOL Cyril Santander, the Battalion Commander of the 18 Infantry Battalion urging the feuding parties to rebuild the bridges of unity, encouraging all present to embrace the prospect of healing and reconciliation.
The process leading to this reconciliation was a testament to the genuine collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders that came together namely the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippines National Police (PNP), the City and Barangay Local Government Unit, the Basilan Local Alternative Dispute Resolution (BLADRAI), as well as various concerned individuals and organizations.
The reconciliation achieved serves as a beacon of inspiration, demonstrating that even the most entrenched conflicts can yield to the strength of collective determination and the pursuit of enduring harmony. Rido Settlement is one of the flagship programs of the Ministry towards ensuring a safe, secure, and peaceful Bangsamoro in the region.
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