Manila, Philippines -- Fierce political rivals in the traditionally violence-prone Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines have decided to settle their differences and defuse the rising tension in the region over a cup of coffee.

On Tuesday, or a day after the hotly contested election day, mayoral candidate Alexis Pablico, 38, who is running against Elvino Balicao Jr., the incumbent's mayor's son, went to the town hall to invite Mayor Elvino Balicao Sr. for a cup of coffee.

To the relief of the town's residents, the elder Balicao offered his hospitality to Pablico. It was, after all, just a day after the elections and tempers were still running high and violence among supporters of each camp is threatening to erupt at any time.

"We've been through all this bloody fighting; we don't want it to happen again," said Tom Carumba, community relations officer of Chiquita Unifrutti Philippines, who persuaded Pablico, a cousin, to make up with Balicao.

"We want peace to reign, we don't want blood to flow," said Carumba, a three-term councilor before he joined Unifrutti. He winced as he recalled the history of fighting in the area, which can be traced back to the time of the paramilitary groups Ilaga and the Muslim Blackshirts in 1972.

The town is known for its many political and powerful clans, all armed. Violence is just a trigger away.

Carumba added, "We want to calm down members of the family who have these tendencies because when violence starts, there's a danger that it will really get out of hand. Everything will break loose."

Carumba said it was only by maintaining the climate of peace in the area that a small town of Wao could keep attracting big companies.

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