Commitment to Peace in Mindanao, Philippines
Unarmed civilian protection refresher training in Mindanao, Philippines six years after the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed a peace agreement.
Committment to Peace: When you support Nonviolent Peaceforce, you support an ongoing committment to peace in Mindanao. One of the ways Nonviolent Peaceforce works towards a peaceful future is conducting ongoing trainings on unarmed civilian protection for members of the army, police, and former combatants. These trainings demonstrate the commitment to work towards stable peace, a process that has been years in the making.
One of the most important components of the Peace Agreement of 2014 was the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Building on the Peace Agreement of 2014: In 2014, the Filipino government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)--an armed group formerly not aligned with the government--signed a historic peace agreement, marking an "end" to decades-long conflict. But working towards peace is long and ongoing.
The trainings were presented to more than 200 members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST) composed of government army, police and decommissioned combatants of the MILF from August to October, 2020 in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
The Joint Peace and Security Teams are one example of this ongoing cooperation. The teams are composed of former MILF combatants, government soldiers, and policemen, and aim to implement peacekeeping strategies in Mindanao. Nonviolent Peaceforce is involved in the formal peace process, which includes training these teams on unarmed civilian protection methods. Your support makes Nonviolent Peaceforce's training and involvement with the Joint Peace and Security Teams and the peace process possible.
Training attendees gaining knowledge on peacekeeping strategies, focusing on preparedness and social cohesion. The training included approaches to community safety and security, strengthening peace infrastructure, proactive engagement, capacity building, and monitoring.
We know that the road to peace must be inclusive and built on strong relationships. In addition to equipping attendees with the skills to sustain peace and protect their communities, refresher trainings are a reminder and recommitment to peace. With these trainings, we continue to contribute to changing how community-oriented protection and safety is perceived and conducted.
The trainings were remarkable in that cooperation between the Government of the Philippines and MILF was necessarry and representative of a committment to peace on the part of both groups.
Trainings that bring the groups together play a role in building trust and strong relationships between the two, which contributes to sustainable peace. We are encouraged by continued participation in trainings, which represents a commitment to peace and stability. Your support makes our work in the Philippines possible as we shape a future that empowers local actors to create a community that centers the protection and safety needs of all its members.
* * *
These Nonviolent Peaceforce training sessions were possible thanks to the support of the European Union, the Government of the Philippines, and generous supporters like you.