LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The military has settled a nine-year-old family feud or “rido” between the clan of former Tuburan, Basilan Mayor Durie “Uthaimin” Sahasal Kallahal and Abdulla P. Jhovel, a resident of Barangay Dugaa in Tuburan.

Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, commander of the 101st Infantry (Three Red Arrows) Brigade in the province, said yesterday the reconciliation of their conflict took place at the headquarters of the 18th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Campo Uno in this city on Sunday.

According to Luzon, the two families voluntarily surrendered a total of eight firearms, comprising four M16 rifles and four Garand rifles, during the formal ceremony.

Luzon salutes Lt. Col. Mark Serapion L. Lagud Jr., commander of the 18th Infantry Battalion based in Campo Uno in this city, and Tuburan Mayor Jhaber Kallahal for their concerted effort in settling peacefully the rido between the two families.

Lt. Col. Lagud said the feud between the two families started in 2016, which has already claimed some lives and displaced some of their relatives from both parties.

“Today, the two families have renewed a new chapter of unity and mutual understanding between their families and relatives,” Lagud said.

Lagud added that the event was marked by the signing of a peace agreement and covenant, culminating in a symbolic handshake between the two families.

Their sustained engagement and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives were instrumental in ending the feud, which originated in 2016 and had long disrupted social cohesion and community life.

Luzon also commended both families for their courage in choosing the path of peace. “Today’s reconciliation proves that even the deepest divisions can be bridged through dialogue and mutual respect.”

“This is more than the end of a conflict — it is a beacon of hope for other communities facing similar struggles,” he stated.

The 101st Infantry Brigade, in partnership with local stakeholders, remains steadfast in its mission to foster peace, stability and development across Basilan, paving the way for normalization and long-term progress.