May 2011 Philippines Field Report
I. Highlights of the Month
A rido[1] in one barangay in Guindulungan, Maguindanao that has been sporadically erupting since the mid-1990s, was again an issue this month despite no recent hostilities. Rather, the MILF official, which has been posted between the two fighting parties since December 2010, decided to withdraw from the area following a period of calm. The immediate response by civilians, who feared renewed fighting, was to evacuate. The team was informed about the situation by a partner, Magungaya Mindanao, Inc. (MMI), as they prepared to conduct their monthly meeting with volunteer human rights monitors from Guindulungan. Three of the local monitors themselves come from the affected barangay and had come to the meeting directly after evacuating their homes that morning. The NP team, with MMI and members of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), who were also present, conducted a rapid assessment briefing and it was decided to conduct a joint visit to the rural IDP camps in Talayan where many of the evacuees had fled. Following the briefing the NP team began an early warning assessment of the situation through meetings with officials from the Guindulungan and Talayan local governments, the Barangay Chairwoman of the affected barangay and some evacuees who had fled to a nearby evacuation camp. The following day, equipped with relevant information and having completed an assessment of the immediate security situation, the NP team conducted a joint visit with the Talayan Local Government Unit (LGU , MMI and IMT to the barangays of Damablak and Katipuan, to discuss the situation with the displaced persons directly. One day after this interior visit, the team was informed that based on an initiative by the Talayan LGU, a ceasefire agreement had been reached and signed by both parties and the majority of the IDPs returned the following day. The team’s daily communication with the Talayan LGU through meetings and phone calls contributed to their prompt response.
In Lanao del Norte province, a Community Based Human Rights (CBHR) structure established by the team in April 2011, in partnership with Lanao Alliance for Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA), Ranao Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Centre (RDRRAC) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), was already demonstrating how much these structures are needed. At the beginning of May the local CBHR Monitors in Munai municipality reported to the team that rumours were circulating that the MILF had withdrawn from the peace process and were preparing to take up arms. This was exacerbated by reports that movements of military troops had increased in the preceding days. Munai was very badly affected by the last all-out war in 2008 and as such local people were making preparations to flee their homes. The team, along with partners LAHRA and RDRRAC, quickly contacted local AFP, MILF and other stakeholders to gain an assessment of the situation. As expected, the rumours were unfounded and the MILF had not withdrawn from the peace process. This information was relayed back to the CBHR monitors who in turn passed the correct information onto their communities. This monitoring and reporting mechanism worked to prevent the needless evacuation of hundreds of families from their homes.
II. Context / Situation
The positive results of the peace process were visible on the ground in the month of May, despite the circulation of unfounded rumours in some areas that the MILF had withdrawn from the peace talks. Notable is the joint operation between the AFP and the MILF to secure the safe release of a businessman kidnapped in Maguindanao. Local communities in the area reported positively about the operation and especially the MILF’s efforts against the Kidnap for Ransom Groups (KFRG). There were no direct clashes between the AFP and the MILF in May as the two parties continue to observe the ceasefire, and make preparations for the next round of peace talks in June.
The MILF continued to hold peace consultations aiming to update local communities and different sectors about the peace process. Significant was the visit by the MILF Peace Panel to Makati City in Manila where they attended a forum to meet and discuss with the Philippines big-business sector. Bringing the peace negotiations into the public domain, the forum discussed business and development in Mindanao and the on-going concerns of the Bangsamoro people.
Despite positive developments between the GPH and the MILF, the security situation in Western and Central Mindanao remains delicate. All NPP teams noted a significant rise in the levels of Rido-related violence in May, especially in the province of Lanao del Norte, which has seen little major violence since the conflict in 2008. These family or clan conflicts have a huge impact on local communities and often result in deaths, injuries and displacement of people. They also have the potential to escalate very quickly and can draw in wider actors.
III. Management/Programme Intervention
After thorough analysis this month saw the merging of the two Lanao field teams, previously covering Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces separately, into one team, now called Lanao Field Team (LFT). This move comes as a response to the interlinked conflict-related issues between the two provinces and to enable NPP to maximise on the expertise and experience of staff working in Lanao. LFT will now also provide emergency cover for some critical areas of Zamboanga peninsula.
IV. NPP WORKS: Conflict Prevention Programme (CPP)
Community Based Human Rights (CBHR) Program
In Maguindanao, following a request from the Bangsamoro Centre for Empowerment and Governance, Inc. (BCEGI) a half-day orientation was conducted on CBHR for 48 out-of-school youth. It was done as the general education component of a 10-day driving skills training. All participants engaged actively and requested more training on a separate occasion.
The team also held a monthly meeting of all volunteers of the Community Based Peace and Protection Council (CBPPC) in Guindulungan. This is to be a regular event that serves for volunteers to discuss current concerns in their respective barangays so that MMI can compile and report these, depending on the issue, to NPP or other organisations we have introduced them to in the last year. As part of this month’s efforts, CHR has been added to this list.
In North Cotabato a human rights orientation was planned with the local AFP battalion in order to increase the safety and security of local CSOs working on HR. The orientation will cover R.A. 9851 (Philippines Act on Crimes against IHL, Genocide, and other Crimes Against Humanity). The CHR will also be invited for this activity.
In Lanao del Sur a two-day HR orientation was conducted with the support of local partner United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD) and the CHR for local CBHR monitors from three barangays in the municipality of Butig. The objective was to enable them to understand the basic concepts and principles of human rights, national law especially the Philippines Bill of Rights and documentation of HRV.
Early Warning Early Response (EWER) Program
In Maguindanao, after conducting basic HR training for point persons of the CBPPC a few months ago, this month saw the same initiative held for EWER. It also included volunteers from Datu Unsay, Mamasapano and Shariff Aguak. Training was also commenced in EWER and CBHR for the Guindulungan point persons. The first of the sessions was led by NP staff however from next month MMI will be responsible for conducting the training aspect independently.
For the Maguindanao team, monitoring was a key focus this month as operations in pursuit of KFRGs, both by the AFP and the MILF, put many civilians in a state of panic. The team was able to access some of the volatile communities in Datu Unsay, Mamasapano and Datu Salibo to provide presence and to capture civilians’ perception and concerns.
North Cotabato field team made the first steps in the process of establishing an EWER structure in Aleosan municipality and a meeting was held with the Chief Executive of the town. After presenting the proposed concept, plan and strategy the Chief Executive pledged his support to the initiative.
Dialogue Program
Maguindanao saw positive developments with the on-going inter-community Dialogue, as a meeting was held with a 
local Imam who shared that despite initial doubts about the initiative, he has recently come to realise its importance and would like to continue and expand it to the wider community.
In Lanao, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was organised in Marawi City, in partnership with the Mindanao Development on Culture of Peace (MIDCOP) and prominent clergy to address concerns of the minority Christian community, particularly issues related to civilian protection and human rights. A strategy was also developed to support the community for their protection.
The Philippine Muslim Women Council (PMWC), in partnership with NP, successfully held an Open Space Forum (OSF) with a view to identifying grassroots strategies to support and encourage women's engagement in local peacekeeping activities. The OSF enabled PMWC and NP to acquire baseline data that would then guide an intervention strategy based on the contributions from women living in Marawi City.
Following a request from MILF-CCCH to arrange and facilitate a dialogue for an on-going grassroots conflict in Tangkal, Lanao del Norte, NP facilitated the engagement of partner, Pakigdait, Inc. to create space for dialogue and peace in Tangkal. Pakigdait, Inc. was supported by NP in visiting the affected region in order to understand the civilians’ security issues. A viable way forward will be identified following the report of the partner on the process and the outcome of the dialogue process.
V. NPP WORKS: Civilian Protection Programme Deliverables
Cotabato City – NP-CPC Secretariat
This month the CPC Secretariat made 6 recommendations to the International Monitoring Team relating to civilian protection issues coming from the field teams. The Secretariat also continued to send daily reports and case verification reports to the IMT, other CPC member organisations and the Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Development (HRD) component of the IMT.
The CPC team in Cotabato is responsible for coordinating with the headquarters of the other CPC members, the Joint Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH), UN agencies and relevant humanitarian NGOs. This month meetings were held with various organisations including MinHRAC, IMT, UN OCHA, and the team attended the meetings of the Protection Cluster which aims to coordinate the efforts of agencies working for civilian protection in Mindanao.
The CPC team, along with other NP staff members, participated in a ‘Bike for Peace’ event organised by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The bike route, from Cotabato City to Upi, Maguindanao, was joined by members of local civil society, local communities, local government units, OPAPP and members of the GPH Peace Panel.
Maguindanao
The team provided proactive presence in the province through 7 monitoring patrols covering Datu Piang, Datu Angal, Maida, Datu Unsay, Datu Odin Sinsuit, Shariff Aguak, Talayan. During the month 11 alerts and information connected to the protection of civilians were received, of which 3 were monitored and 4 were verified.
A community orientation was conducted in Mamasapano muncipality to introduce the role of the Civilian Protection Component and for the CPC team to introduce themselves. The orientation was attended by 105 civilians from the 4 barangays of Pimbalakan, Dunalen, Tukanaliapo and Linantanan. Following NP’s presentation the community raised some specific concerns they were having in relation to the GPH-MILF conflict, concerns which are now being followed up by NPP in coordination with the IMT.
The team also visited numerous evacuation centres and returnee communities to monitor their situation, including: Barangay Anadvit, Datu Salibo (200 families have returned; 200 remain displaced); Barangay Sambulawan, Datu Salibo (over 100 families); Mapaygag Elementary School camp, Datu Anagal (65 families); Barangay Meta, Datu Unsay (over 100 families); Makir Resettlement Camp, Datu Odin Sinsuit (167 families); Madia Madrassah and Elementary School, Katipuan (178 families); Resettlement camp in Pagatin, Datu Salibo (60 families); IDP Resettlement camp Barganay Manongkaling, Mamasapano (100 families); Gumbay Resettlement Camp, Datu Piang (60 families); Barangay Iganagampong, Datu Unsay (over 60 IDP families).
North Cotabato
The team provided proactive presence through 3 monitoring patrols covering Matalam, Kabacan, Ginatilan, Manaulanan, Silik, Tapoduk, Kolambog, Bualan, and Pagangan of Aleosan Municipality, Arakan, Kabacan. During the month the team received 11 alerts and information related to civilian protection, whereupon 3 were monitored and 3 verified.
In the 3rd week of May, the team received reports of concerns stemming from the presence of military personnel in Boliok Complex, Pikit. The case was verified and found that their presence was to provide a security escort to a local foundation who were providing school supplies and materials assistance to school aged children in a local barangay. It was found that the military personnel had not violated any ceasefire agreement and that they did not go beyond the identified area of MILF. Their movements had been properly coordinated with both peace panels. The team’s confirmation of these details served to calm the fears of local communities who had concerns that the AFP and MILF might be drawn into a fire-fight if they encountered each other.
The team visited numerous evacuation centres and returnee communities to monitor their situation, including: Barangay Dugong, M’lang (approx. 70 families); 459 evacuees safely returned to their homes in Kabacan and Matalam; Barangay Dungoan (143 families)
Lanao
The field team provided proactive presence through 1 monitoring patrol in their area of responsibility. During the month 32 alerts and information related to Civilian Protection were received by the team of which 6 were monitored and 6 verified.
The team visit to Barangay Tamparan, Munai sent a positive message to civilians living in the area. More than 100 households living in Tamparan benefited from a verification mission related to security issues with a local school. The intervention made with the Municipal Social and Welfare Department (MSWD) granted resumption of the school in Barangay Tamparan, as well as a commitment to provide seeds and tools to enable local farmers to cultivate lands.
The team visited evacuation centres and returnee communities to monitor their situation, including: Barangays Tamparan and Pantaon, Munai (LdN) – (180 individuals remain displaced since 2008)
SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City, Sultan Kuderat)
The field team conducted 1 monitoring patrol covering Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum. It received 10 alerts and information related to Civlian Protection, whereupon 3 alerts were monitored.
The team conducted a “CPC Awareness and Community Orientation Forum” in Brgy Upper Sepaka, Surallah, South Cotabato province, to raise awareness about the role of CPC in the peace process and at the grassroots level. Approximately 150 persons participated in the forum (80 male, 50 female, 20 children).
The team visited evacuation centres and returnee communities to monitor their situation, including: Kalamansig (over 700 families) and Columbio (over 200 families), Sultan Kudarat; 3 IDP families in Brgy, Tuka; 21 families in Brgy. Busok, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
Sulu
This month the NP-CPC Secretariat received 20 daily updates from the national staff in the field site. Notable in May was the increased operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group.
[1] Rido refers to a state of recurring hostilities between families and kinship groups characterized by a series of retaliatory acts of violence carried out to avenge a perceived affront or injustice
