COTABATO CITY — Ministry of Public Order and Safety conducted a learning session on rido settlement to police officers of Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) last January 27-28, 2021 at Em Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Cotabato City.
RIDO or family/clan feud is a type of conflict unique in the Bangsamoro region due to the retaliatory violence between families and kinship as well as between communities. This type of conflict caused death and impede economic, political, and social development of the affected communities. There are various reasons for rido and most commonly is about land ownership.
Minister Hussein Muñoz mentioned on his opening message that there are 442 recorded cases of rido across the region. “The number may potentially increase as we proceed to rido mapping and profiling this year.” he said.
Among the duties and functions of the MPOS as provided under the Bangsamoro Administrative Code is to formulate and implement policies and programs for the effective settlement of rido and to establish proper coordinating mechanisms with the law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police. Hence, a learning session about rido settlement was conducted.
Participants of this activity were representatives of different units, sections, or divisions of PRO BAR in different provinces and cities of BARMM, such as, Cotabato City Police Office (PO), Lanao del Sur PPO (Police Provincial Office), Maguindanao PPO, RMFB 14, Basilan PPO, Sulu PPO, and Tawi-Tawi PPO. To name some PRO BAR officials in attendance were PLTCOL Romel Naciongayo, OIC of RCADD, PCOL Pablo Labra II, Deputy Regional Director for Operation, PRO-BAR, PCPT Mohammad Shaber Arsad and PCPT Harold Manampan.
Aim of the program is, first to assist the PRO BAR in their efforts to deeply understand the complexity of Rido Settlement in BARMM. Second is to establish proper coordinating mechanism or partnership with the PRO BAR, particularly in the efforts of the MPOS to reduce, if not eradicate, rido in BARMM; and third, to identify the roles of the PRO BAR in Rido Settlement.
Atty. Al-Rashid Balt, Political Affairs Officer VI of MP Hussein Muñoz and legal consultant of MPOS gave a lecture on “Alternative Dispute Resolution in BARMM” while Sultan Abdul Hamidullah Atar, Executive Director of Reconciliatory Initiatives for Development Opportunities (RIDO) Inc. shared a discussion on “Rido Settlement in Practice.” He thoroughly explained the step-by-step procedure and the customary method in handling rido settlement in Lanao del Sur. On the second day, Atty. Abuali Abbas, Attorney IV of the Ministry shared his expertise on “Basic Mediation.” He discussed legal cases and crimes that leads to rido and legal way to address it.
During the workshop, PRO-BAR officials and its respective PPO representatives shared their concerns in handling rido situations in their area of responsibility. Peace Program Officer IV Sittie Janine Gamao synthesized their workshop output in determining the role of PNP in rido settlement and the immediate, intermediate, long-term interventions that the PNP, MPOS, and other stakeholders can possibly work on together.
It is good to note that one of the agreements during the learning session is the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding between MPOS and PRO-BAR in addressing rido and other conflict in the region.
PCOL Pablo Labra II, Deputy Regional Director for Operation-PRO BAR said on his closing message that PRO-BAR will be a reliable partner of MPOS in ensuring the security and safety of the region. He recognized the negative consequence of rido in the community and believes that this learning session enlightened the respective police offices about the unique characteristic of rido in the region. Consequently, the PNP’s contribution in maintaining peace in the region.
Minister Muñoz said, “We share the same vision and intention to serve the people. As public servants with the desire to expunge fear and terror from people, our accord lies in creating a safe region and country where harmony and unity among the populace is achieved. Although the road to attaining it [peace] can be tough, but with each other, jointly coordinating and cooperating, we ar
