ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 18, 2008) - An army patrol in search of Moro rebels responsible for the havoc in Lanao del Norte province in Mindanao encountered Tuesday an armed group believed to be preparing to launch a reprisal attack in Salvador town.
Colonel Benito de Leon, commander of 104th Infantry Brigade, said troops from the 35th Infantry Battalion were dispatched to check the presence of armed men in the village of Bayabao who clashed with another armed group of about 20 people.
While no casualties were accounted in the firefight, De Leon said troops captured eight people suspected to be associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Soldiers also recovered a shotgun, .30-caliber ammunition, handheld transceiver radios, military packs and uniforms.
De Leon said initial investigations showed the group to be linked with a prominent MILF leader who intended to do a “rido” (armed settlement of family feuds) in exacting revenge with another prominent political personality in the area.
Lanao had been known for the practice of ridos. Just last week, a series of such incidents occurred in the nearby municipality of Magsaysay. This prompted the Army to deploy forces in the area to deter the recurrence of violence.
Dialogues with the populace where also undertaken by the military and the local government executives in an attempt to stop rido.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during his visit over the weekend also issued instructions to the military to similarly treat as criminals those who undertake the practice of rido.
Teodoro reminded the public that the courts are the only acceptable and lawful institutions for the settlement of disputes to ensure peace and order in a civilized society.
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