Transforming Conflict and Building Peace in Mindanao Towards Security Sector Reform: an option or a policy?
Background
Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. (BMFI) is in partnership with the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMINCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a program of building capacities of the military on conflict management and peace building through the conduct of peace trainings for soldiers and of peace dialogues among commanders and generals. This program is seen a strategy to enhance the security sector reform (SSR) that helps create non-violent mechanisms in resolving local conflicts and that engages the local government units and other stakeholders in developing communities.
Prior to this partnership, Balay Mindanaw has already engaged three infantry brigades, namely 103rd, 602nd and 403rd that cover Lanao Provinces, Cotabato, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. In the whole 2 years of 2007 to 2008, peace training courses were provided to over 500 junior officers, non-commissioned officers, enlisted personnel and even CAFGUs/CADREs combined. Policy discussions workshops were also made possible with ground commanders led by General Raymundo Ferrer.
In 2008, the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) has begun a partnership with the Philippine Marines Corps then under the leadership of General Ben Dolorfino. With fund support from AusAid, IAG and Balay Mindanaw conducted series of peace workshops in Zamboanga, Basilan, Jolo and Palawan for the officer corps of the Philippine marines. The workshops were geared towards enhancing the role of the military in building peace.
These continuing partnerships with the military aim to transform the security sector through (1) transforming the paradigm of the military on peace and conflict in Mindanao and (2) formulating policies that institutionalizes peace education and changing the basis of promotions of soldiers apart from body count and fire arms surrendered syndrome.
Update
The Peace courses at the division level (4th, 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions) are finally over, with more than 500 junior officers (from the army, navy and police) as participants. These trainings tried to enhance soldiers’ understanding on the conflict in Mindanao and develop their skills in conflict analysis and other peaceful approaches to conflict and violence like mediation, negotiation, dialogue and assertive communication.
In a similar vein, IAG is presently engaged in the phase two of the peace workshops for the Philippine Marines that includes, among others, topics on sustainable development, environmental protection and communication skills to provide a more holistic approach to bridging leadership training.
As Balay Mindanaw and IAG continue to engage the East Mindanao Command and the South Mindanao Command of the AFP on security sector reform, Policy discussion workshop among key personnel of the AFP has started. The on-going talk on security sector reform looks very promising with the prospect of integrating the peace trainings modules in the curriculum of military schools.
Many of the soldiers who are graduates of the peace courses have somehow applied their lessons in their present areas of operations. Salient personal stories of transformation were documented including their efforts in building peaceful relations with the civilians through resolving local conflicts and family feuds, and helping barangays develop their own community.
A Peace Policy Forum with the Eastern Mindanao Command
This forum will be another space for the key military leadership in Mindanao to talk about workable peace policies and peace interventions in the armed forces – how peace education help improve conflict management strategies, help reduce violence and ultimately help develop peaceful communities in Mindanao.
With the past armed conflicts in various part of Mindanao and the recent violence in Maguidanao, the forum is deemed necessary to discuss what possible transformation that the military and police can do that can reform the security sectors and rebuild the peace that was hardly been seeing and acting upon, but can be done.
Anchorwoman: Ms. Tina Monson-Palma of ABS-CBN
The forum will be moderated by the veteran broadcaster, Ms. Tina Monson-Palma. At present, she is the host of her own talk show at ANC, TalkB@ck with Tina, where she tries to “explores a more interactive approach to discussing the topics that affect the quality of lives of Filipinos everywhere and enhance the viewer’s understanding, form a more enlightened opinion and turn them into action that can shape our country’s future.”
Resource Speakers (Panelists) will include the Secretary of National Defense, Norberto Gonzalez, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Anak Mindanaw Party List Representative Ariel Hernandez.
Reactors will include MGen. Alcantara, CMDR 6ID; MGen Holganza, CMDR 10ID; Gov Daisy Fuentes (LGU-South Cotabato); Prof. Saturnina Rodil (Academe/MSU IIT), Prof. Rudy Rodil (Former GRP Panel), Inday Santiago (MWC), Vicente Lao (MBC).
Major Discussion Themes
These are the 3 major discussion themes: (1) Analysis of the Mindanao conflict? (2) What has been done to help address the conflict? (3) How do we continue to respond to the conflict in Mindanao?
Specifically, the following are specific points that are also relevant to respond to:
o How can a peace policy of the DND or AFP/PNP be implemented effectively and responsibly?
o How do AFP integrates/institutionalize the course (or certain modules) on conflict management and peace building in military academic institutions
o What are the impacts of peace education to the soldiers and to the communities, its impact to the whole security sector?
o How military sees and deals to the local government units, civil society groups and line agencies both in settling local violence & conflicts and in the effective delivery of basic services at the community?
o What are the appropriate approach/es towards peace and security: military operations versus community development?
o How do soldiers respond to conflicts like rido and other family fueds?
o How do we recognizing peace building efforts of soldiers as parameter of success and basis of promotion (other than the body count and number of firearms recovered, number of people surrendered)? Are there ways in taking care of soldiers: stress management, trauma healing, conflict analysis and discussions, follow-up peace session, etc.
At the end of the forum, 4 major output should have been made:
· Policy Level Discussion and dialogue
· Recognition of the modest efforts of soldiers for peace
· DND Policy to institutionalize peace education in the military
· Agreement on military’s role in the Security Sector Reform
· Video Documentation of the Forum professionally arranged for the television show at ABS-CBN News Channel this coming March (Date TBA)
Program of the Forum
The program will start at 1 pm with Welcome Address by Prof. Lourdes Sobrevega-Chan of the Ateneo de Davao University, Committee Chair of the Research and Publications. A short launching ceremony will take place to recognize the key players of the book, Soldiers for Peace.
This will be followed immediately by the forum proper, where Ms. Tina Monson-Palma will moderate the discussion with the Resource Speakers on the issues and concerns of the military and the community at large as they work with peace and conflict in Mindanao. A set of reactors will also be asked to give feedback and recommendations. Before closing the forum, Ms. Palma will provide a brief wrap-up including the agreements discussed during the forum.
The forum will end at 5pm with a closing remark from the Balay Mindanaw Chairperson, Sylvia Okinlay-Paraguya.
Dinner will follow. Outside the Amphitheater are photo gallery show, snacks, Soldiers for Peace Book and other Peace Products for Sale.
The forum will be recorded/filmed by Caelestis Productions, Inc. with a set of production crew led by Sally Belosillo as the Director. The forum will be shown at ANC this coming March 2010
The audience will include soldiers and police who were graduates and trainers of the peace course. It is open to the public especially to the students and faculty of Ateneo de Davao University, other Civil Society Groups, Non-government and Government Agencies.
Prepared by:
International Center for Peace in Mindanaw
Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc.
5 February 2010
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