The civil society organizations and ceasefire mechanism structure of Government Republic of Philippines (GRP) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have played a very instrumental and pivotal role in preventing a war like situation between the Armed Forces of Philippines and Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of MILF. The fire fight took place between Marines and BIAF in Albaraka, Basilan when following a false lead Marines entered MILF area without prior coordination with Local Government Unit (LGU) and MILF to track down the kidnappers of Italian priest Father Bossi.
The volatile situation in Basilan seriously aggravated with the decapitation of the dead bodies of marines of Armed Forces of Philippines and a Muslim Imam. The increase and visible movement of AFP and MILF forces in Basilan as well as in critical areas in mainland Mindanao caused much fear among the residents, local governmental officials, the ceasefire mechanism structure, civil society organizations and international community. The Italian priest, Father Bossi, who was kidnapped in June in Zamboanga Sibugay province was released few days after the July 10 Basilan incident.
A joint fact finding committee comprised of representatives from the “GRP – MILF Coordination Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities” and Bantay Ceasefire produced a joint fact finding report and identified 10 Abu Sayyaf Group bandits behind the mutilation of the dead bodies of marines. The report strongly endorsed the immediate establishment of Joint Assistance Monitoring Team (JMAT) structure in Basilan to maintain ceasefire and further prevent the outbreak of violence.
The proactive civil society organizations (CSOs) of Mindanao vehemently condemned the July 10 Basilan incident and exerted joint efforts to save the peace process. CSOs produced series of press statement urging both parties to exercise maximum restraints and resolve Basilan crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means.
In Sulu, the Philippine Army is still hunting down ‘Armed Lawless Groups’ as well as what it considers to be “loose commanders” of the MNLF. As the situation is yet to settle down, there are rumours that formal military operations could be launched.
GRP officially enacted the Human Security Act (HSA) in July that generated immense fear among Human Rights groups and CSOs. Majority of CSOs in Mindanao criticised the HSA and categorically asked GRP to review those clauses of HSA that curb the fundamental rights of civilians.
NP’s Work
Main Office and Sulu Team
The Cotabato Main Office continued to support the ICP field teams by offering advice on day-to-day basis. This included all the programmatic aspects, with a special emphasis on ways to build constructive relationships with stakeholders on the ground. Main Office staff spent considerable time in the field sites to guide the ICPs in their initial steps.
The Main office and ICP from Sulu team participated in a conference on Self Determination in Manila organized by one of the Advisory Board member. During and after the conference, team met key official from Department of National Defence, National Security Council, and Representatives of Civil Society Organizations from Mindanao. The team visited the offices of European Commission, German Embassy, Asia Foundation and discussed areas of collaboration. It also made follow-ups with other potential donors and gave them relevant updates from the field sites.
To facilitate the work of both field sites, the Main Office had detailed meetings with various top-level arms of the Government of Philippines and the two revolutionary groups. These included the GRP and MILF Coordination Committees on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), the MNLF political leadership, and relevant Mayors. The Main office met the mayor of Datu Saudi Municipality, Maguindanao and got his approval to put up NP Central Mindanao field office in Datu Saudi Municipality.
The Main office and Sulu team participated in an emergency called meeting of Mindanao Peace Weavers (MPW) in Davao to discuss the vulnerable situation in Basilan and devise proactive nonviolent responsive strategy. On the recommendation of MPW, NP shared and disseminated CSO statements on Basilan issue with NP international and its Member Organizations. On the request of Partners, NP concurred with the idea to maintain regular and random presence in Basilan and to consolidate the peace initiatives of Basilan-based local civil society.
The Project Director and Communication Officer along with Sulu team held consultations with number of partners before moving to Basilan. NP team attended a Press Conference in Zamboanga city organized by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) and met local CSOs representatives from Basilan. The NP team reached Basilan on 23rd of July with the objectives to maintain international conscious presence; consolidate efforts of Basilan based partner CSOs to resolve the Basilan crisis through peaceful means; and, provide latest updates from the ground to national and international I/NGOs and IOs.
CBCS Basilan Chapter introduced the NP team to local authorities like mayors, Barangay Captains, Municipal Councillors, Community Based Organizations and conflict affected communities. The NP team established daily contacts with the Commander of Task Force Thunder in Basilan and provided regular updates to GRP – MILF CCCH. Along with local partners the team visited evacuees’ camps especially those that are isolated and situated close to the conflict affected ghost areas. The team relayed the genuine concerns of evacuees to relevant civilian/military authorities and CSOs. It paid continuous visits to the communities who were ready to leave their respective barangays in case of eruption of fight between GRP & MILF forces. And it actively participated in a series of Basilan-based CSO meetings to devise strategies and action plan regarding civilian protection and other human security issues.
The NP team accompanied the Peace Rally/Caravan organized by members of the CSOs to TipoTipo municipality. The rally was attended by the mayor of TipoTipo, members of the Civil Society, Barangay Captains, school children and prominent people to show their commitment to peace and their demand for peaceful resolution of Basilan crisis. Many banners were painted with the slogans like “No to war, Yes to Peace”, “Peace is the only solution”. The national media covered the peace rally and a short interview was given to media because of their insistence on knowing NP’s presence at the rally. In the brief interview, the Project Director explained the reason of NP’s presence in Basilan and shared the NP mandate. Later in the evening, the rally was broadcasted on national TV news and NP was prominently featured in the bulletin. The CSOs and Ceasefire Mechanism structure appreciated NP international conscious presence in Basilan during the height of crisis.
Central Mindanao Team
Aleksandra Basa, ICP from Sulu team joined NP Central Mindanao Team for 1 week to support their work.
Central Mindanao team has regularly visited the barangays Ganta and Bakat after an armed incident that happened there, and maintained conscious presence in the affected areas. The team supported the initiatives of local peace advocates and along with them met community representatives, evacuees, local government units, and ground commanders of armed groups.
The team continued with prerequisite work to set up NP field office in Dapiawan, and in coordination with NP Main office secured approval from the mayor of Datu Saudi Municipality and GRP – MILF CCCH. It held series of meetings with communities within the vicinity of field site location to boost social legitimacy, confidence and trust. The team kept the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Post in Kitango – Datu Saudi Municipality fully abreast of its activities and sought their assistance to develop relation with armed groups on the ground. NP team had several meetings with MILF and AFP ground commanders with the assistance of NP partner organizations to share NP mandate and establish direct communication links. NP team consolidated working relationships with local partners and their offshoot local monitoring groups on the ground and analysed Dapiawaan’s socio political dynamics and its recent history of violence.
Report written by Atif Hameed (Project Director) and Christine Schweitzer (Programme Director)