Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) have joined forces to tackle the issue of clan wars, known locally as 'rido', in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and surrounding areas. On Wednesday, both agencies signed a memorandum of agreement to establish a joint Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked with creating guidelines to resolve these community-based conflicts.

According to Philippines News Agency, the TWG will develop solutions tailored to the unique dynamics of these conflicts, ensuring they align with criminal justice processes while respecting prosecutorial discretion and judicial independence. The agreement was signed by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida and OPAPRU Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, representing their respective organizations.

The DOJ reported that 161 instances of 'rido' have been recorded from 2023 to April 2026. While some local peace settlements have successfully mitigated these conflicts, related criminal cases often remain unresolved in prosecution offices and courts, as they are not integrated with existing peace agreements.

A statement from the DOJ emphasized the complementary nature of law enforcement and peacebuilding, highlighting the importance of both in achieving long-term stability. The initiative aims to introduce peace-sensitive prosecutorial guidelines that acknowledge the cultural contexts of conflicts while adhering to the legal framework.

The DOJ further stated that public trust is reinforced when communities witness the collaborative efforts of justice and peacebuilding working effectively together.