Manila, July 10 -- Local leaders of Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur helped end hostilities between warring Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) factions Thursday in Barangay Kilangan.

In an interview with reporters, Mayor Abdullah Mamasabulod said leaders of the two MILF groups, involved in a longstanding "rido" (family feud), agreed to a ceasefire. The local government facilitated the agreement with the military and Muslim religious leaders.

"They all agreed to a ceasefire effective today, Thursday, and to help affected civilians return to their respective communities," Mamasabulod said.

The armed hostilities involved Datu Teng Matalam, former village chair of Kilangan and an MILF official, and a group led by Ustadz Norodin, also part...